Boxers assure 7 medals

doha, May 22

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Devendro Singh (49kg) advanced to the final, while six others entered the semis as Indian boxers shone bright in the Doha International Tournament, a test event for the World Championships scheduled there later this year.

Devendro, who got a bye in the opening round, entered the final after his Qatar rival Al Rafeek Yahea was declared medically unfit on Friday. 

Meanwhile, former Asian gold-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg), Gaurav Bhiduri (52kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg), Manish Kumar (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Vikas Krishan (75kg) made the semifinals. Shiva out-punched Jordan's Al Wadi Mohammad 3-0, while Manish got the better of Tunisia's Elmejri Ahmad 2-1. 

Mandeep, also a silver medallist in the Commonwealth Games, reached the last four beating Afghanistan's Allahdad Rahemi. Manoj beat Morocco's Younes Baati to book a berth in the semis. 

Vikas and Gaurav, on the other hand, got byes into the semifinals in a relatively small draw.

The tournament features a total of 12 countries. It’s a build-up for the October World championships, which is also an Olympic qualifying event. — PTI