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Devendro marches on
The Indian boxers had a mixed day at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Light flyweight (46-49-kg) boxer Laishram Devendro made it to the second round after receiving a walkover from Kuwait’s Fahad Albathali. Devendro, who is the brother of national women’s boxer L Sarita Devi (who is featuring in the 57-60 kg) and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist becomes the second Indian pugilist to get a walkover at this multi-sport event. Shiva Thapa had moved into the second round of the bantamweight category (56-kg) on Wednesday. The Manipuri lad, who had reached the quarterfinals of the 2012 London Olympics, will next face Bounphone Lasavongsy of Lao PDR on Saturday.
Light welterweight (64-kg) boxer Manoj Kumar failed to cross the first hurdle, losing to Japan’s Kawachi Masatsugu 0-2. Manoj, who reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games failed to deliver, surrendering the initiative to his Japanese opponent to finish second best in the ring. On Monday, Akhil Kumar had stormed into the second round of the middleweight category (60-kg).
Other boxers in contention
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.
India in all, have fielded ten boxers. 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist Mandeep Jangra will play in the welterweight category (69-kg), while Gautam Bhiduri will feature in the flyweight category (52-kg). 2010 Asiad gold medallist Vikas Krishnan will play in the middleweight category (75-kg), while Kuldeep Singh will box in the light heavyweight category (81-kg). Amritpreet Singh and Satish Kumar will fight in the heavyweight (91-kg), and super heavyweight categories (+91-kg).
MC Mary Kom, L Sarita Devi and Pooja Rani are the three women boxers in the fray.
