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This is an archive article published on August 15, 2008

Akhil upsets World Champion to enter Olympic quarters

The fiercely fought match was awarded to Akhil Kumar by judges on points after scores were level 9-9 at end of four rounds.

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India’s Akhil Kumar pulled off a major upset by stunning world champion Sergey Vodopyanov of Russia in the 54 kg pre-quarterfinal bout in the Olympics in Beijing.

The fiercely fought match was awarded to the Haryana pugilist by the judges on points after the scores were level 9-9 at the end of four rounds.

The 27-year-old Indian trailed almost till the final moments but staged a remarkable turnaround through a wonderful display of aggression, accuracy and technique in the penultimate and final rounds.

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After being down 1-2 in the first round, 3-4 in the second and 7-8 in the third, Akhil held his nerves and unleashed a flurry of straight punches, two of them bang on target.

The five-judge jury then decided in favour of the Indian, leaving a stunned World Champion in tears.

Akhil will play his quarter-final match on Monday.

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