India’s Jaismine Lamboriya earned a unanimous decision victory in the 57kg category against Venezuela’s Omailyn Alcala Cegovia in the semi-finals of the Boxing World Championships, and set up a gold-medal clash against Paris Olympics silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland.
In a World Championships where most Indians in Olympic categories have fared poorly, Jaismine has had a relatively easy path to the final and has been aided by the visual aura of her boxing.
One of the tallest boxers in her weight class, the Bhiwani boxer automatically comes with the advantages of height and reach, but what often gets lost is her ring presence – a factor that has been pivotal in the subjective judging of the sport at these World Championships.
Against the shorter, and crucially, slower-to-the-punch Venezuelan, Jaismine had the chance to show off the full spectrum of her offense. From the rapidly improving pressure tactics she has been employing, to the fast hands that she delivers from safe distances, the Indian boxer has leapt in levels since her Round of 32 exit at the Paris Olympics – where a similar strata of opponent rendered her obvious physical advantages obsolete.
Jaismine’s crisp combinations forced the Venezuelan to try to stay on the outside and target her offense towards the Indian’s torso. But it made little impact in terms of output and the efforts would usually lead to the southpaw stamping her mark on the fight.
The only trouble that Jaismine truly faced was in the second round. Omailyn, who had lost the first round on four judges’ scorecards, tried to stay in the pocket and land combinations on the 24-year-old. An aspect of Jaismine’s game that continues to remain underdeveloped is when opponents try to overload her. The Indian can manage the first and second waves of attacks but her size lends her to be slow in exiting troubling situations. But the wave of attacks came too late in the round as all judges, barring one, once again handed her the second round.
The third round showcased Jaismine at her deflective best. Knowing that three out of five judges had given her the fight, only a deducted point or a knockdown could have come to her opponent’s aid. She started and startled her opponent by beginning the third with an offensive charge, but then eased off the throttle midway. A warning of sorts given, the Indian walked down the clock to ensure her first ever Worlds medal will be gold or silver.
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She next faces Szeremeta, a Paris silver medallist who brings an in-your-face style of pressure that Jaismine will have to encounter when she faces the best in this division. How the Indian can use her improved pockets of boxing will be crucial.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
