Commonwealth Games: Tasmyn Benny takes bronze, other Kiwi boxers guaranteed medals
New Zealand are guaranteed two more boxing medals following three bouts at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.
Tasmyn Benny said she was happy with her bronze after losing her semi-final, believing the experience will improve her boxing.
The 19-year-old navy medic fell 5-0 to Northern Irishwoman Kristina O’Hara in the women’s 48kg final-four clash, outclassed from beginning to end and taking a number of heavy blows.
Losing semi-finalists automatically takes bronze as there are no bronze-medal matches in Games boxing. The medals are awarded after the final.
However, Benny was satisfied with that.
“I could’ve started off faster. I’m still working on my speed,” Benny said.
“I’m feeling more comfortable with it and learning from every fight. I took up boxing to keep fit for netball – it helps with footwork, balance and speed. Now I want to do well in boxing.”
Following Benny’s defeat, compatriot Troy Garton took on Botswana’s Aratwa Kasemang in her women’s 69kg quarter-final and claimed a dominant 5-0 victory.
As a result, she too is guaranteed a Games medal.
Garton, 30, hit the rangy Kasemang hard with a number of upper cuts and hooks, neutralising her opponent’s considerable reach advantage.
“It means a lot. I’m that step closer to achieving what I would like to achieve, which is the gold medal. It’s been a tough ride to get here and I’m just overjoyed to have got this far,” Garton said.
Garton’s next opponent will be Australia’s Swedish-born Anja Stridsman, who overcame what should have been a crippling knee injury to reach the Games.
Their bout is on Friday afternoon.
“I’ve fought a few Australians and they are always great, tough, gutsy opponents, so I’m looking forward to it,” Garton said.
Ryan Scaife was the third Kiwi in action on Wednesday, fighting Cameroon’s Dieudonne Wilfried Seyi Ntsengue in their 75kg division quarterfinal.
The game Scaife struggled to catch up with the elusive Ntsengue, who was able to get the Kiwi with some good shots and the judges gave it to the Cameroonian 5-0.
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