Men pugilists make a clean sweep

Indian boxers packed a powerful punch as they bagged all the seven gold medals on offer in the men’s event of the 12th South Asian Games here on Monday.

Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist L Devendro Singh, who is recovering from an injury, began India’s gold rush in boxing when he pipped Mohib Ulla of Pakistan in 49kg category at the SAI campus in North Eastern Hill University on the outskirts of the city.

The other gold medallists of the day were Vikas Krishan (75kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), Madan Lal (52kg), Dheeraj Rangi (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Mandeep Jangra (69kg).

“It was a bit tough and my focus was to avoid any injury with the qualifiers coming up next month,” the London Olympics quarterfinalist Devendro said after he was was adjudged winner 2-1 via split decision.

If Devendro fought off injury to open India’s account, world no 6 in middleweight Vikas Krishan put up a brave front after fighting a flu to down Tanveer Ahmed in the 75kg to end the home side’s campaign with a magnificent seven gold medals.

Despite not being able to put up his best, Krishan prevailed over his Pakistani opponent with some feisty uppercuts and was adjudged 3-0 winner.

Guwahati lad Shiva Thapa impressed the boisterous crowd, which included his father Padam and brother Go­v­ind among others, to prevail up­on Sri Lankan W Ruwan Thilina in the 56kg title bout.

In 52kg, 35-year-old former national champion Madan Lal prevailed over another Pakistani opponent Mohammad Syed Asif to be adjudged 3-0 winner in an unanimous decision.
Another from the Indian boxing hub of Haryana, 20-year-old Dheeraj Rangi defeated Pakistan’s Ahmed Ali in the 60kg gold medal bout.

Experienced boxer Manoj Kumar was also adjudged winner in an unanimous 3-0 verdict against Dinidu Saparamadu of Sri Lanka in the 64kg.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Mandeep Jangra survived a scare against Afghanistan’s Rahemi Alla Dad, but still emerged an unanimous 3-0 winner.