Debutant Sonia Chahal Settles for Silver at World Boxing C’ships

21-year-old loses to 2011 junior world champion Ornella Gabrielle Wahner by a split 4-1 verdict in the 57 kg final.

21-year-old Sonia Chahal bags a silver medal on her maiden appearance at the AIBA World Boxing Championships

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Boxing Federation)

Indian boxer Sonia Chahal settled for a silver medal at the 2018 AIBA World Boxing Championships in New Delhi after going down to Ornella Gabrielle Wahner in the 57 kg final on Saturday, 24 November.

The 21-year-old – featuring in her maiden World Championships – lost in a split 4-1 decision to the German, a junior world champion from 2011.

Chahal was hoping to deliver India’s second gold medal, following MC Mary Kom’s historic sixth world title, but fell short in her attempt despite a good start.

The rookie pugilist, hailing from the boxing-rich land of Bhiwani in Haryana, appeared to have held the edge after a closely-fought opening round. But Wahner, only 25 herself, made the bout her own with a dominating display over the next two rounds.

While one of the five judges awarded the bout 29-28 to Chahal, the remaining four all scored 29-28 in Wahner’s favour, much to the disappointment of a partisan home crowd.

I did my best but it was not enough. My opponent was better on the day. I am happy to have won a silver in my first World Championships. I will analyse my weaknesses and work hard for the 2020 Olympics.

Sonia Chahal

An understudy to former world number two ranked Kavita Chahal, Sonia has only been competing at the senior level for the past two years. She shot towards prominence by winning her first senior medal at the National Championships in 2016.