JAKARTA: Indian boxers endured a disappointing day at the Asian Games after both Sonia Lather and Pavitra lost their respective quarter-final bouts here on Tuesday.
Two-time Asian and world silver-medallist Sonia failed to get going against North Korea's Jo Son Hwa and suffered 0-5 loss in the featherweight 57kg category quarterfinal.
While the scoreline at the end of the bout read on similar lines, the Indian pugilist could hardly decipher the North Korean southpaw's combination attacks, that included well connected jabs.
With both the pugilists getting a warning each for clinching, the bout, however lacked much excitement as both the pugilists mostly spent time in holding each other.
The second bout of the day witnessed a valiant effort from Pavitra in the lightweight 60kg category, before going down 2-3 in a split verdict to local favourite Huswatun Hasanah.
Pavitra, making her Asiad debut, completely dominated the opening round, landing some solid punches on the local opponent.
Backed by the vociferous home crowd, Hasanah bounced back well with a few powerful punches in the next round that helped her earn the decision in her favour.
On Wednesday, two-time medallist Vikas Krishan (75kg), Amit Panghal (49kg), and Dheeraj Rangi (64kg) will fight it out for a place in the men's semifinals, while Sarjubala Devi (51kg) is the lone woman left in fray for the country.