The Olympic bronze medallist beat Kazakhstan’s Azamat Belgibayev to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the event in Milan, Italy on Saturday.
India’s best hope at the World Boxing Championships and top seed in 75kg category Vijender Singh’s campaign got off to a flying start. The Olympic bronze medallist beat Kazakhstan’s Azamat Belgibayev to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the event in Milan, Italy on Saturday.
The 23-year-old world No. 2 convincingly defeated his Kazakh opponent 14-8. The Khel Ratna awardee will now take on Canadian Steve Rolls, who was better than local favourite Luca Podda, on Tuesday September 8.
After getting a bye in the first round, the Haryana boxer was not on the ball straight away. In the first round, he was trailing 0-3 only to stage a remarkable comeback in the next two rounds. It was 9-8 in the second round before he made sure that his opponent stands no chance any further. In the final round he eventually won the bout by 14-8. “It is always great to start of with a win. I am relieved and very happy,” Vijender said.
National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu was impressed with the way Vijender changed his strategy midway after an initial setback. “Azamat managed to get three points even after Vijender started with counter-punching. He (Azamat) got those points with some rather soft touches. Vijender then realized his opponent’s ways and changed his strategy to become more aggressive,” pointed Sandhu.
On Sunday, Jai Bhagwan (60kg) will take on Eugen Burhard of Germany in the pre-quarters. In 81kg, fourth seeded Dinesh Kumar will be up against Reznicek Vladimir of Czech Republic in the second round after getting a bye in the first round. In 91kg, Manpreet Singh will meet Usyk Olexandr of Ukraine in the second round after he too received a bye in the opening round.
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