Home favourite Negisetty Usha pulled off a surprise by out-punching world bronze medallist and Pan-American champion Sandra Bizier in a first round bout of 57 kg class at the World Women's Boxing Championships in Delhi on Sunday.
Kalpana Chowdhry, the world bronze medallist in the 50kg, gave the home team its first taste of success in the championships by winning her 48kg bout earlier in the day, at the Talkatora Indoor stadium.
However, disappointment was in store in 60kg category for the hosts as Ibomcha Devi lost to Lucie Bertaud of France 13-23.
Usha appeared to be in attacking mood from the word go, countering every punch of her Canadian opponent to end the first round at 5-5.
The Kerala pugilist, making her maiden appearance in the prestigious tournament, put up an improved performance as compared to the last few months when she struggled even in the invitational competitions.
She mostly scored on her straight punches to lead 12-8 at the end of the second round and despite Bizier's attempts to increase her tally, Usha carried on with the consistent show to romp home 20-14.
"I am really spellbound. I was really encouraged by the crowd support and the presence of my parents. It's really a matter of pride for me to win on home soil where everyone knows me," said Usha, who advanced to the second round.
Kalpana, who earlier competed in 50kg class, overwhelmed Nadia Shehata of Egypt 24-7 in the 48 kg class to advance to the second round of the division.
Kalpana, who was narrowly leading by one point at the end of the first round, used a combination of punches to amass as many as 12 points while not conceding a single to Nadia in the second round. She led 15-4.
With her flurry of punches in the third round, the Assamese pugilist enjoyed a huge lead despite giving away three points.
But the most interesting bout of the day was fought between World champion Glandkova Olesya of Russia and world silver medallist Ri Jong Hyang in the second round of 48kg class.
Hyang upset Olesya 16-10 in what was a rematch of the last year's final. In fact, the two were also finalists in the 2002 edition in Antalya, Turkey.
While Russians bit the dust on the second day, Korean boxers reigned against their fancied opponents and the young Chinese boxers also spent a good day in the ring.
Russia's Gorshkova Elena was ousted by DPR Korea's world silver medallist Yum Kum Zu, who is also the Asian gold medallist in the 57 kg class. Zu beat Elena 15-8.
