Boxers pack a solid punch

Guwahati, February 15 

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The boxers hardly broke a sweat to scoop all seven gold medals up for grabs, while shooters ended their campaign with an outstanding tally of 25 gold medals to ensure India’s reign remained unchallenged in the 12th South Asian Games here today. Besides, the Indian women’s football team also won the gold medal, defeating Nepal 4-0 in the summit clash. 

The boxers were the stars of the show today with all seven men in the final notching up comprehensive victories. Commonwealth Games silver medallist Devendro Singh (49kg) began the gold rush when he thrashed Pakistan’s Mohib Ulla. The London Olympics quarterfinalist was adjudged the winner on a split decision of 2-1. The 35-year-old Madan Lal (52kg) prevailed over Pakistan’s Mohammad Syed Asif to win gold. World No. 2 and World Championships bronze medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) had  the crowd rooting for him, and he delighted his vociferous supporters with an emphatic win over Sri Lankan W Ruwan Thilina. World No. 6 Vikas Krishan (75kg), who was a little unwell, did well to down Pakistan’s Tanveer Ahmed. The Olympics medal prospect prevailed over his opponent with some feisty uppercuts and was unanimously adjudged 3-0 winner. Dheeraj Rangi, who had secured a silver medal at the World Military Games in South Korea last year, defeated Pakistan’s Ahmed Ali in the 60kg gold medal bout.

Experienced boxer Manoj Kumar, the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, was also adjudged winner in an unanimous decision against Dinidu Saparamadu of Sri Lanka in the 64kg category. Commonwealth Games medallist Mandeep Jangra (69kg) survived a closely-fought contest against Afghanistan’s Rahemi Alla Dad to win 3-0. The Afghans, however, were not happy with the decision. “They (judges) want the host country to win all the medals,” said Afghanistan Amateur Boxing Federation president Abdulla Sattari.

Shooters on mark 

In the shooting ranges, the Indian shooters made yet another clean sweep to sign off with a staggering 25 out of 26 gold medals on offer. Gurpreet Singh shot gold in the men’s individual 25m rapid fire pistol with a total of 28 hits on target, while Shweta Singh grabbed another yellow metal in the women’s individual 10m air pistol event with a total of 194.4. Heena Sidhu, another Olympics quota holder, had to be content with silver in the women’s 10m air pistol event with a total of 192.5, while 18-year-old Chandigarh shooter Yashaswini Singh Deswal took bronze. Gurpreet made up for his sixth-place finish in the 10m air pistol event on Saturday by winning gold in the 25m rapid fire pistol event today. — PTI