Albania outclasses Kazakh

MANILA, Philippines - Annie Albania started off a bit sluggishly but eventually got going in her first outing in the women’s boxing competitions in the third Asian Indoor Games in Bac Ninh province, a suburb 38 km. out of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Ranged against a fighter from Kazakhstan, the 25-year-old livewire from General Santos City groped for form in the first round but nevertheless took the round, 2-0, over Na Zhai, 20.

“The canvas is a lot softer than what I am used to and my opponent was also fast and could hit hard. But after I made the adjustment, I just followed our fight plan. Fortunately, it worked,” said the silver medallist in the last World Women’s Championships in China.

Albania stamped her class over her younger opponent with accurate shots to the head and quick movement to get out of harm’s way. She hit her stride in round 2, taking a 6-2 lead and going into the final round up, 9-3, before settling the issue, 15-5.

On hand to congratulate her immediately after the fight were ABAP executive director Ed Picson and ABAP-NCR and POC vice-president Manny Lopez. Albania also received a congratulatory message from ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

Saturday, Alice Kate Aparri faces a tough Chinese girl, Jin Mei Lin while 17-year-old Nesthy Petecio debuts versus Thailand’s veteran Tassamalee Thong Jan in the 54 kg weight class.

Mitchel Martinez (60 kg) is slated to face Vui Nguyen Thi of the host country while World Championship bronze medalist Josie Gabuco’s first assignment is Macau’s Weng Chan Cho (46 kg) in the following days.

The women’s boxing team’s participation here was funded by the Philippine Sports Commission and in part by Smart-PLDT.