However five other pugilists — two men, three women — made the first round exit further reducing the 17-member Indian challenge in the competition. So far ten Indians have lost their first round bouts.

The 21-year-old Nandani started aggressively and dominated Kazakhstan’s Valeriya Axenova from the word go in the women’s +81kg quarter-finals bout.

The Indian’s relentless powerful punches unsettled her opponent in the third round before the referee stopped the contest . With this win Nandini has now secured at least a bronze medal with a place into the Last-4 stage.

In the semis she will take on another Kazakh boxer, the former world champion and 2021 Asian Championships gold medallist, Lazzat Kungeibayeva.

The current youth world champion Arundhati Choudhary and Parveen also marched into quarter-finals after registering commanding victories by an identical 5-0 margin in their respective opening round matches.

Arundhati outclassed Italy’s Melissa Gemini in the 70kg match, Parveen (63kg) blanked Kazakhstan’s Aida Abikeyeva.

Meanwhile, Sachin Kumar (80kg), Rohit Mor (57kg) alongside, Meena Rani (60kg), Anjali Tushir (66kg) and Saweety (75kg), made exits after conceding defeats in their respective matches.

On the fourth day of Europe’s oldest international boxing tournament, Anamika (50kg) will look to secure a medal as she will fight in the quarter-finals while Sumit (75kg) will play his second round match.
The tournament will be played till February 27.