Asian Games: How Sakshi jabbed her way into round of 16

Indian boxer Sakshi Chaudhary secured a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision victory over her opponent, Aira Villegas, a bronze medalist from the Paris Olympics. The match took place at Nishio Gymnasium on Tuesday morning. Coach Santiago Nieva praised Sakshi's ability to counter Villegas' lead hook, stating that she nullified the threat and landed her own jab against a southpaw boxer.

Villegas, who relies on her right jab and left straight punch, landed a few punches early on, but Sakshi's distance management and jab proved effective, securing the first round with a score of 5-0. In the second round, Sakshi continued to control the fight with her right straight punches and effective use of her jab. Villegas tried to rush in, but Sakshi remained unflinching, employing her left jab to her advantage.

The coach expressed satisfaction with Sakshi's performance, noting that she controlled the pace of the fight and neutralized Villegas' lead hook. Ahead of the next round, Sakshi faces reigning flyweight world champion Alua Balkibekova of Kazakhstan, a tall and strong boxer with a career record of two losses and one win against Indian boxers.