SOFIA: Top Indian woman boxer Nikhat Zareen will begin her campaign in the 73rd Strandja Memorial Tournament here with a quarterfinal bout, while Sumit and Anjali Tushir are set to face tough opponents in their respective opening-round bouts.
The Strandja Memorial Tournament, which is Europe's oldest international boxing event, is being held from February 20 to 28.
The 25-year-old Zareen from Telangana, who won gold in the 2019 edition, has received a bye in the 52kg opening round. Apart from Zareen, Nandini (+81kg) is another Indian to feature directly in the last-eight. However, in the 66kg category, Tushir will face a stiff challenge from two-time World Championships medallist Russia's Saadat Dalgatova in the opening round.
Among men, the 2021 World Championships bronze medallist Akash Kumar has been given a bye in the 67kg opening round while Sumit (75kg) is drawn to begin his campaign against World Championships silver medallist Russia's Dzhambulat Bizhamov. IANS
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