New Delhi: Indian boxers Amandeep Singh, Akhil Kumar and Suranjoy Singh moved into the semifinals in the Commonwealth Games, while Dinesh Kumar lost in his quarterfinal match on Saturday.
Suranjoy defeated Malaysia's Mohammed Subrie 9-2 in the 52 kg category while Amandeep outclassed another Malaysian Fuad Mohammed 7-1 in the 49 kg category at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium.
Akhil, who had won gold at Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, defeated England boxer Ian Weaver 11-6 and confirmed his place in the semi-finals.
But there was disappointment in store for India in the 81 kg category, as Dinesh lost a close match against England's Obed Mbwakongo 9-8. Though Dinesh made an impressive start and got a 5-3 lead in the first round, he could not maintain the momentum. Obed bagged the winning point in the last second of the final round.
In the 52 kg bout, Suranjoy, after getting a lead of 3-1 in the first round, was more aggressive in the second and earned six points.
"I was deliberately on defensive mode in the first round as I first wanted to figure out my opponent. There was no pressure on me and I did not find any difficulty in beating him. Now I am looking forward to win the semifinals," he said.
Suranjoy, 24, who hails from Manipur, is a strong favourite to win the gold. He had earlier won the gold at the Commonwealth Boxing Championship in March.
Akhil said he was "very happy with my today's win".
"I am feeling very good and have full belief that I would again win gold," he said.
Comments
0 comment