Asian Games: Five Indian men's boxers enter quarters

Mandeep Jangra (right)

Indian men boxers had a field day at the Incheon Asian Games with two of its pugilists advancing to the quarterfinals at the Seonhak Gymnasium. 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist Mandeep Jangra booked his spot in the last-eight stage of the welterweight (69-kg) after prevailing over China’s Liu Wei in a hard-fought contest.

Mandeep took his time to get a measure of Liu before gradually dominating the bout. It was the second round which proved crucial for Mandeep as all the three judges rules in his favor. The 21-year-old Haryana boxer next plays Thailand’s Saensit Apichet on Monday. Gautam Bhiduri also reached the quarterfinals of the flyweight category (52-kg) beating Nepal’s Prem Chaudhary in a facile manner. He next faces Uzbekistan’s Zoirov Shakhobidin on Monday.

The wins of Mandeep and Gautam ensures the entry of five Indian boxers in the quarterfinals. Earlier, Laishram Devendro Singh, Shiva Thapa and Kuldeep Singh entered the last eight stage. Only two men boxers are yet to launch their campaign in Incheon. 2010 Asiad gold medallist Vikas Krishnan will play in the middleweight category (75-kg) on Sunday, Satish Kumar will fight in the super heavyweight category (+91-kg) on Sunday.

Three women boxers – MC Mary Kom, L Sarita Devi and Pooja Rani – also eased in the quarterdfinals.Indian boxers will be looking to put on a stellar performance after capping a splendid effort at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where they won five medals including four silver medals and a bronze – they created history as for the first time four Indians reached the final of the Commonwealth Games.