Haridwar: 2014 World Championship silver medallist Sarjubala Devi of Manipur is just one step away from her third national champion title after she reached the finals in the 48kg category. But it was curtains for former Junior World Champion Nikhat Zareen, who had to settle for a bronze after suffering a shock defeat in the semifinals of the Women's Senior National Boxing Championship here today.

The two-time former national champion, Sarjubala was unanimously adjudged the winner over Rajesh Narwal, who represents the Railways Sports Promotion Board. The experienced Manipuri will next take on local favourite Krishna Thapa, who edged past Monika of Haryana with a split decision of 3-2.

However, the fast-rising flyweight (51kg) boxer from Telangana, Nikhat could not go further in the tournament after she was stunned by Haryana's Neeraja 4-1. In the summit clash, Neeraja will be up against RSPB's Meenakshi, who notched up a 4-1 win over Poonam Bist of Uttrakhand in another semifinal bout.

In bantamweight (54kg), Uttar Pradesh's Soniya registered a 5-0 win over Chanda after an unanimous decision to set up a final clash with Shiksha of Haryana, who too trashed M Meena Kumari of Kerala with a similar margin.

In featherweight division, Haryana's Soniya advanced to the finals with a dominating 4-1 win over Shaily Singh of Uttar Pradesh. She will meet Kamla Bist of Uttrakhand for the gold medal.

Pugilist Priyanka Choudhary out-punched AIP's Preeti Beniwal 5-0 in the lightweight (60 kg) category.

Among other boxers Jyoti from Haryana , Simranjit Kaur from Punjab in 64 kg category, Pooja from Haryana and Shashi Kala from HP in 69 kg category advanced to finals.

In middleweight 75 kg category Rumi Gogoi (ARU), Kavita (AIP) , Nirmala (AIP) and Saweety(HAR) in 81 kg category, Seema Poonia (RSPB) and Kavita Chahal (HAR) out-passed their opponents to advance to the finals of the Senior women's boxing nationals.