Indian men boxers take seven gold at SAG

Shillong, Feb 16: India’s men pugilists clinched seven golds at the 12th South Asian Games here on Monday. World Championship bronze medallist Shiva Thapa beat Sri Lanka’s Ruwan Thilina to win the gold in the bantam weight category.

“It was a good challenge,” Thapa, who faced an aggressive Sri Lankan opponent, said after winning the gold. Thapa, the reigning Asian champion, made a flawless start with a left jab and a straight punch setting the tempo for the bout. He, however, was pushed to the defensive by his opponent looking to force headbutts in the second round.

A right upper cut and a flurry of punches pushed the Sri Lankan rival back as Thapa sailed to the gold with a 3-0 unanimous decision. Commonwealth Games silver medallist Devendro Singh, who had a stiff fight against Pakistan’s Mohib Ulla, came back well in the second round.

Devendro won by a 2-1 split decision in the light fly (46-49 kg) category. Former national champion Madan Lal outboxed Pakistan’s Syed Md Asif 3-0 in the fly (52 kg) category. India’s Dheeraj also outclassed Pakistan’s Ahmed Ali in the light (60 kg) category.

Manoj Kumar got the better of Sri Lanka’s D. Suparamadu 3-0 in the light welter category. Mandeep Jangra tamed Afghanistan’s Rahemi Alla Dad in the welter (69 kg) category, while Vikas Krishan (75 kg) signed off in style beating Pakistan’s Ahmed Tanveer in a unanimous 3-0 decision. Dheeraj had a tough time taming Pakistan’s Ahmed Ali in the final of the lightweight category.

Ali looked quicker of the two in round 1 and used his height to advantage. It was an intense second round which saw both boxers exchange a flurry of punches besides a sharp right jab by Ali buoyed the Pakistan contingent on the stands.

Dheeraj, however, took control in the third round. The Indian eventually won by a split decision of 2-1. (IANS)