World Championships silver-medallist Sonia Lather took little over one round to clinch a comprehensive victory and advance to the second round of the National Women's Boxing Championships here today.
Sonia (57kg), competing for the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), was up against Bihar's Seema Kumari.
The Haryana-girl seemed in ferocious form as she pummelled her rival to force Technical Knockout in her favour.
Sonia, who took to boxing for anger-management and idolises none other but herself, is also a former Asian Championships silver-medallist.
However, not all accomplished names made it to the next level. The most notable to go out of fray in the very first round today was Chhoto Laura, a two-time World Championships bronze-medallist.
The 33-year-old veteran from RSPB, who is now a qualified coach as well, lost 1-2 in a gripping encounter to Manipur's Sandhya Rani.
The bespectacled Laura is a living story of grit, having survived a teenage accident in which one of her leg suffered permanent damage.
However, far from being bogged down by the tragedy, the Haryana girl pursued her passion for boxing to be among the world medal winners in an Indian team which was headlined by none other than M C Mary Kom.
"You can't cry over losses for too long. I am fine if I win, I don't sulk for long if I lose. All that matters is giving your best shot, and that I do. I will concentrate on coaching now. I am already training nearly 40 girls in Ambala, where I am based," Laura said, after what was the most engaging contest of the day which had the entire hall up on its feet.
Among other prominent names, former Asian Championships silver-medallist Pavitra (64kg) didn't even have to step inside the ring to advance to the second round as she was given a walkover by West Bengal's Dolly Singh.
Pavitra is competing for the RSPB in the tournament.
Former national champion Preeti Beniwal (60kg) also began her campaign confifently by scoring a Technical Knockout over Karnataka's Pooja.
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