Kanwar assured of a bronze, Vikas falls

May 04, 2012 04:38 pm | Updated July 11, 2016 01:51 pm IST - New Delhi

London Olympics—bound boxer Vikas Krishan made a surprise exit from the third International Republic of Kazakhstan President’s Cup after losing to local player Kojabekov Bakhitjan in the welter weight division quarterfinals in Almaty on Friday.

In the super heavy weight division, however, rookie boxer Kanwar Preet Singh (+91kg), in his first international tournament, displayed admirable talent as he beat Demmene Nadir of Algeria 11:4 on points to make it to the semifinals and assure herself of a bronze in the tournament.

Vikas (69kg) made a strong start with some precise attacking punches and took a one point lead after the opening three minutes of play. But the Kazakh boxer made a strong recovery in the second, taking three points to the Indian’s one point.

The 20—year—old Vikas, the Asian Games gold medallist, tried hard to get back in the final round, but Bakhitjan managed to hold on to the advantage and win on points 9:7.

In the same weight category, bronze medal winner at the Senior Nationals last year, Lakhbir Singh (69kg), also suffered a similar fate against the silver medal winner at the 2011 World Boxing Championships and 2010 Asian Games gold medallist Serik Sapiyev of Kazakhstan.

Lakhbir was completely out of sorts against the superior tactics and skill of Sapiyev, a former world champion. The Indian was down 2:7 in the second round when the referee stopped the contest and handed victory to the Kazakh.

But, there was good news for India in the super heavy weight division. Rookie boxer Kanwar Preet Singh (+91kg), also in his first international tournament, displayed admirable talent to beat Demmene Nadir of Algeria.

The 19—year—old Indian dominated the bout with his long reach and attacking play. He led throughout, not allowing the Algerian boxer chances to score. By the end of the second round, there was a six point difference between the two.

Kanwar takes on Dichko Ivan in the semifinals on Sayurday in search of his first international final appearance.

Two more Indians will also take the ring on Saturday in the semifinals with all of them pitted against Kazakh boxers.

L Devendro Singh (49kg) will have a tough ask ahead of him when he takes on Olympian and Asian Games silver medallist Birzhan Zakipov for a place in the finals, while Games silver medallist Manpreet Singh (91kg) will lock horns with Abduganiev Arbek.

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