RP assured of 3 bronze medals in AIBA Women’s championships

NINGBO, China, Nov. 26 (PNA) -- Reigning Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Annie Albania and two others advanced into the semifinals and assured the country of at least bronze medals in the 2008 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships at the Ningbo Youngor Gymnasium here.

Light bantamweight Annie Albania overwhelmed Song Hye Tong 10-0, flyweight Analisa Cruz overpowered Diana Timofte of Romania 13-8 and pinweight Josie Gabuco defeated Oxana Shtakun of Ukraine 7-3.

By hurdling their quarterfinal foes, the Filipinas penciled themselves an automatic bronze medal, which is already an improvement to their two bronze medals haul in the previous two editions of the world tilt.

Martinez, a bronze medalist in the past two world boxfest, on the other hand, lost to Cheng Dong of host China 14-3.

“It’s difficult to win against host country, we cannot do anything about it but at least we still have three more left and we know we’ll have a good and happy day tomorrow,” said RP-Smart PLDT coach Glicerio Catolico Jr.

Martinez, a bronze medalist in the 2005 and 2006 world tilt, could not believe she lost in the fight.

”I gave all my best but my punches could not get points, I don’t know why,” said the 32-year-old Martinez.

After knowing she trailed 1-3 in the first round despite landing clear punches, Martinez went on more aggressively in the second frame but still lagged behind 2-8.

More conspicuously, she was also given a standing eight-count with 1:14 in the third.

Albania will clash with Laishram Sarita of India, Thailand SEAG silver medalist and 2005 Asian Championship silver finisher Cruz will collide with Hyang Ok Kim of North Korea and Gabuco will square off with 2007 European champion Steluta Duta of Romania.

All semifinalists will have a chance to rest for one-day as organizers announced Thursday as a rest day.

Bouts will resume on Friday at 2 p.m.

While the Filipinas displayed superior skill in the competition, Albania stood out as the 26-year-old boxer who won by shutting out her opponents. She also whipped Sacred Downing of the United States of America 18-0 Tuesday.

The RP-Smart PLDT squad’s participation here is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and Pacific Heights.