Thaindian News

London, Aug 9 (IANS/RIA Novosti) America’s 17-year-old prodigy Claressa Shields took the inaugural Olympic gold in the women’s 75 kg boxing tournament here Thursday.

Shields pounded her Russian opponent and No.2 seed Nadezhda Torlopova, nearly twice her age at 33, to win by a score of 19 points to 12.

Shields produced a display of fiery aggression that trumped Torlopova’s guile, buzzing around the ring to land blows before the Russian could react.

The first round saw both fighters land useful combinations, the judges unable to separate them at 3-3.

Shields’ raw energy shone through in round two, as she threw twice as many punches as her opponent, including a big right to go 10-7 up.

Torlopova was lethargic, unable to cope with Shields’ more nimble movement, and was caught several times as Shields took a 15-10 lead into the final round.

Shields carried the momentum through to the bell to become the second-youngest Olympic boxing champion in history.

Torlopova moved down two weight classes to compete in London since winning gold at the World Championships in 2010.

Shields defeated bronze medallist Marina Volnova of Kazakhstan 29-15 in the semi-finals. Torlopova edged past Li Jinzi of China 12-10 in her semi-final.

Women’s boxing is making its debut in the Olympics this year. Bouts consist of four two-minute rounds, as opposed to the three three-minute rounds for the men.

–IANS/RIA Novosti
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