PU boxers dominate ring amid protest

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 23

Punjab University pugilists continued to dominate the ring in the All-India Inter-University Boxing Championship here today, even as some of the participating teams accused the officials of being "biased". 

With seven of the hosts’ boxers making it to the semifinals of the championship in various weight categories, the visiting teams alleged that officials were "favouring local athletes in a big way". 

The aggrieved boxers also sat in the ring for over an hour in protest.  

Shishpal marches ahead 

Meanwhile, PU’s Shishpal Singh extended his victory march with a lop-sided win over Gopal Jaganath Hoge of Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University in the light fly weight (46-49kg) quarterfinals.

Sudeep of Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, got the better of Krishan Kant of Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, while Virender Singh of Kurukshetra University overwhelmed Govind Kumar of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University to enter the semifinals.

Harish of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, drubbed Rinku of Chandigarh University, Mohali, in the quarterfinals.

Mewa Singh in semis

In the fly weight (52kg) category, hosts’ Mewa Singh out-punched Nitin Kalmb of Savitribai Phule Pune University to book a place in the last-four stage of the championship. 

Kurukshetra University’s Vinod Tavar humbled Vivek Tagore of MDS University, Ajmer, while Shiv Dayal of University of Jaipur edged past Domic Michal Savio of Osmania University in the quarterfinals.

Naveen of Chandigarh University outlasted Arving of Kumaun University, Nanital. 

Kapil, Rajpinder advance

Kapil Singh of Jai Narain Vyas University entered the bantam weight (56kg) semifinals with a convincing win over Shubham Thakur of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University. 

Rajpinder of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, accounted for Shashikant of University of Madras in the quarterfinals, while Neeraj of Singhania University thumped Saran Sandhu of MJP Rohilkhand University.

Ram Singh Pal of Lucknow University overcame Kamal Kumar of Kurukshetra University to stay in contention for the title.

Sandeep of Panjab University out-witted Sachin of RTM University Nagpur in the light weight (60kg) quarterfinals. 

Ashish Choudhary of Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar, defeated Pawan Kumar of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University. Abhilash of Kurukshetra University overwhelmed Pradeep of Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, while Parveen Singh of SBBS Jalandhar tamed Hawansh Tiwari of SGBA University.

Harmeet floors Rohit

Another PU boxer, Harmeet Singh showed the exit door to Rohit of Maharaja Ganga Singh University to seal a spot in the light welter weight (64kg) semifinals. 

Robin of University of Delhi got the better of Abhishek Yadav of Kurukshetra University, while Amit Kumar of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University prevailed over Kedar G of Savitribai Phule Pune University. 

Ashish of Maharshi Dayanand University beat Parlad Singh of Punjabi 

University, Patiala, in the quarterfinals.

In the welter weight (69kg) quarterfinals, Shubham Singh of Punjabi University, Patiala, beat Sandeep of Chaudhary Devi Lal University, while Parmod Kumar of SBBS Jalandhar overpowered Aditya Lamba of MDS University, Ajmer.

RTM University’s Harish Manoj edged out Arjun Singh of University of Delhi to stay alive in the competition. 

Pawan of Maharshi Dayanand University won his quarterfinals bout against Jaskirat Sing of Punjabi University.

Aditya in semis

In the middle weight (75kg) quarterfinals, Aditya Mann of Panjab University got the better of Dharam Pal of Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, while Sandeep Kumar of DBUMG knocked out Kavi of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University.

P Gowthaman of Madras University beat Amit Khikar of Maharaja Ganga Singh University to ease into the semifinals.

Naveen Boora of Guru Jambheshwar University edged past Rahul of Guru Nanak Dev University.

Panjab University’s Shankar and Sawan Gill also won their respective quarterfinals bouts. While Shankar prevailed over Rahul Rathi of University of Delhi in the heavy weight (91kg) category, Gill out-punched Anuraj of PDUSU in the super heavy weight (+91kg) quarters.

In the light heavy weight (81kg) category, Vimal of SBBS Jalandhar beat Partik of Lovely Professional University in the quarterfinals. 

Gurpreet Singh of Guru Nanak Dev University overcame Ramandeep Singh of Punjabi University, while Hemant of Chandigarh University out-witted M Sai Kalyan of Osmania University. Brijesh Yadav of University of Jaipur got the better of Amit of Maharshi Dayanand University.