Four Indians assured themselves of a bronze medal each after reaching the semi-finals in their categories of the 3rd China Open boxing tournament in Guiyang on Thursday.
Sunil Kumar (52kg), Ajay Kumar (56kg), Jaideep (75kg) and Manjeet Singh (+91kg) made it to the last four of the tournament played under the new ‘Ten-Point must scoring system’.
In the quarter-finals, Sunil was up against Artem Mirazaev of Russia. With his quick-fire jabs and swift body blows, the Railways pugilist put his Russian opponent on the back foot right from the start.
Mirazev did well to squeeze in a few punches, but in the end it was Sunil who emerged triumphant on a split decision to march into the semi-finals.
Sunil will face local lad Chang Young for a place in the final.
The 19-year-old Ajay, playing his first international competition, beat Philippines boxer Nico Magliquian in a split decision to advance. He will take on You Lunhai of China in the next round.
Middleweight boxer Jaideep also secured a last-four spot defeating Kazakh boxer Chingiz Verdybekov.
The Indian contingent, however, suffered early setbacks in the women’s category. Pinki Jangra (51kg), Preeti Beniwal (60kg) and Neetu Chahal (75kg) all failed to make it past the quarter-finals.
While Jangra lost to Xu Shiqi of China, Beniwal was upstaged by Alexis Pritchard of New Zealand and Neetu came up short against another Kiwi, Magan Alila Maka.
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Lohan tied 19th in malaysia
Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), June 20: Abhinav Lohan, playing in his first season on the Asian Tour, carded an even par 71 to end as the best Indian in tied 19th spot in the first round of the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters golf tournament.
Anirban Lahiri, C. Muniyappa and Rahil Gangjee carded two-over 73s to be placed tied 43rd. Abhijit Chadha (74) was tied 55th, Sujjan Singh (75) was 79th while Himmat Rai (77), Shankar Das (78) and Ajeetesh Sandhu (84) lagged way behind.
Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul rediscovered some of his best form to storm into the first round lead with a five-under-par 66. — PTI