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