M. Suranjoy Singh (52kg) and Sumit Sangwan (81kg) notched up contrasting wins in their opening bouts of the Asian Olympic boxing qualifier in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Thursday. Suranjoy overcame Shin Dongmyung of Korea 16-14, whilethe 19-year-old Sumit outpunched Luong Van Toan of Vietnam 14-2.
Suranjoy will now face Mongolia's Tugstsogt Nyambayar, who was his nemesis in both the 2009 and 2011 World Championships, while Sumit will square off against Kim Hyeongkyu of Korea next. Suranjoy took a 5-3 lead in the opening round and made it 13-8 at the end of the next three minutes. But, Dongmyung roared back in the final round to give the Indian a scare but eventually fell short.
On Friday, Olympic and World Championships bronze medallist Vijender Singh will open his campaign against Ishak Waez of Syria. Vijender will have to reach the semifinals to make the Olympic cut.
Another Indian boxer who will be in action on Friday is Asian Games silver medallist Manpreet Singh (91kg), who will fight it out against Toulyek Yerbolat of Mongolia.
Just one Olympic slot is available in the 91kg and the above-91kg categories, which means that Samota and Manpreet will have to win gold to make the cut for London.
