<p> Defending champions India notched up back to back victories to remain on course for a semifinal spot in the kabaddi event of the 12th South Asian Games here on Friday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Indian men’s team defeated Nepal 47-23 in the morning before outplaying Sri Lanka 35-21 in the second match of the day.<br /><br />Against Nepal, India led 19-11 at half time but grew stronger in the second to increase the gap and win the match easily in the end.<br /><br />Against Sri Lanka, the story was almost the same with the home side taking time to have a measure of their opponents. India led 19-12 at half time and then widened the gap after resumption to eventually win by a comfortable margin.<br /><br />Pakistan, who finished runners-up in the 2010 edition, suffered a shock 13-14 defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka.<br /><br />In the women’s section, defending champions India thrashed Sri Lanka 37-13. They had beaten Nepal 51-17 on Thursday.<br /><br />Mary Kom in spotlight<br /><br />Meanwhile in boxing, eyes will be on seasoned campaigners such as MC Mary Kom and Shiva Thapa to lead India when the boxing competition gets underway here on Saturday.<br />India have fielded a star-studded team of seven men and three women — including Olympic, Commonwealth and Asian Games medallists — in 10 weight categories. <br /><br />SAG may not offer them much in terms of tough competition but it is certainly a decent build-up before the Indians head to the Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualification tournament.<br /><br />Medals tally<br /><br />Country G S B T<br />India 146 80 23 249<br />Sri Lanka 25 53 79 157<br />Pakistan 8 23 43 74<br />Bangladesh 4 12 42 58<br />Nepal 1 12 20 33<br />Afghanistan 1 3 11 15<br />Maldives 0 2 1 3<br />Bhutan 0 1 4 5<br /></p>
<p> Defending champions India notched up back to back victories to remain on course for a semifinal spot in the kabaddi event of the 12th South Asian Games here on Friday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Indian men’s team defeated Nepal 47-23 in the morning before outplaying Sri Lanka 35-21 in the second match of the day.<br /><br />Against Nepal, India led 19-11 at half time but grew stronger in the second to increase the gap and win the match easily in the end.<br /><br />Against Sri Lanka, the story was almost the same with the home side taking time to have a measure of their opponents. India led 19-12 at half time and then widened the gap after resumption to eventually win by a comfortable margin.<br /><br />Pakistan, who finished runners-up in the 2010 edition, suffered a shock 13-14 defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka.<br /><br />In the women’s section, defending champions India thrashed Sri Lanka 37-13. They had beaten Nepal 51-17 on Thursday.<br /><br />Mary Kom in spotlight<br /><br />Meanwhile in boxing, eyes will be on seasoned campaigners such as MC Mary Kom and Shiva Thapa to lead India when the boxing competition gets underway here on Saturday.<br />India have fielded a star-studded team of seven men and three women — including Olympic, Commonwealth and Asian Games medallists — in 10 weight categories. <br /><br />SAG may not offer them much in terms of tough competition but it is certainly a decent build-up before the Indians head to the Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualification tournament.<br /><br />Medals tally<br /><br />Country G S B T<br />India 146 80 23 249<br />Sri Lanka 25 53 79 157<br />Pakistan 8 23 43 74<br />Bangladesh 4 12 42 58<br />Nepal 1 12 20 33<br />Afghanistan 1 3 11 15<br />Maldives 0 2 1 3<br />Bhutan 0 1 4 5<br /></p>