Tribune News service
New Delhi, January 29
Laldinmawia created the biggest upset on Day 2 of the inaugural India Open when he defeated Laishram Devendro Singh in the flyweight (52kg) division on Monday. The referee awarded the bout to the Mizoram boxer after Devendro was deemed to have committed a head-butt. Laldinmawia was leading 4-1 at the time.
Among others, Shiva Thapa advanced to the lightweight (60kg) quarterfinals after a 5-0 win over Bhutan’s Dorji Wangdi. Also advancing to the last-eight stage was national champion in the lightweight division, Manish Kaushik, who prevailed over Cuba’s Armmando Martinez Rabi 3-2 in a split decision.
In the men’s heavyweight (91kg) category, Sumit Sangwan, Naman Tanwar and Sanjeet made it to the semifinals and are assured of a medal. Sangwan beat Virender Kumar 5-0, Tanwar saw off Hussein Eishaish Iashaish of Jordan 5-0, while Sanjeet beat Elly Ajowi Ochola of Kenya 5-0.
Sarjubala, Pinki enter semis
World Championships silver medallist Sarjubala Devi and Pinki Jangra also advanced to the semifinals in the women’s competition.
Top seed Sarjubala (51kg) assured India of their first medal of the day when she got past Kenya’s Christine Ongare 5-0.
She set up a semifinal clash with Mongolian Jargalan Ochirbat, who beat 13th seed and former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen 3-2.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Pinki Jangra (51kg) scored a comprehensive 5-0 triumph over Jordan’s Al-Mriheel.
Earlier, Pooja (69kg) had been assured of a medal after making the semifinals straightaway, owing to the small size of her draw.
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