Nikhat Zareen bows out of Strandja Memorial

New Delhi : Former world silver-winner Sonia Lather (57kg) entered the semi-finals to be assured of a medal but defending champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) bowed out of the Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria on Thursday.

Lather, also a two-time Asian silver-medallist, clinched a 3-2 triumph over Ireland's Michaela Walsh in a hard-fought contest.

However, former junior world champion Zareen was beaten by a similar margin in her last-eight stage clash against American Christina Cruz.

Zareen had claimed a gold medal at the previous edition of the event, which is in its 71st edition this year.