Indian boxers make a mark

NEW DELHI, MARCH 8: The Indian pugilists continued their dominance on the third day of the Coca-Cola New Delhi YMCA International Boxing ...

NEW DELHI, MARCH 8: The Indian pugilists continued their dominance on the third day of the Coca-Cola New Delhi YMCA International Boxing Championships as eight of them reached the finals at the Jaisingh Road rings here today.

Surprisingly, the Indians did exceedingly well in the higher weight categories, unlike on the first two days, as Ramanand, K. Sanjit Singh, A. Haridas Singh and Durjai Shastri fought well to make a mark for themselves.

But Ravinder Siwach of India Pink in the light middle category of the junior section went down against a stubborn Dandusky Yevgen of Ukraine as the referee stopped the contest in the second round after the Indian received three head blows. This loss apart, the Indian would not be able to box for four weeks.

First it was Ramanand, the Manipur Games gold medallist, who began impressively connecting his left and right against Malaysian Adan Yusoh. The 20-year-old Jabalpur-based Army sepoy connected a left uppercut in the third that sent the Malaysian crashing. Though the visitor was able to stand up on his feet, the referee stopped the contest to award the bout to the Indian.

Haridas, the Services pugilist, with his excellent reach and head weaving, was able to dodge his Sri Lankan opponent Agnfrema Chandra and using his left to greater effect scored heavily to outwit the Lankan at 17-7. But it was Hayat Singh of India Pink who fought fiercely to force another Lankan, G.L. Rohitha to throw in the towel in the middle of the second round. The Lankan, at the receving end right from the beginning, had to retired with a swollen right eye.

Durjai Shastri, who sent down more straights than any other blows, was a clear winner at the end of the first round. But his opponent Theodore J. Richard showed enormous courage to withstand two more rounds before the referee stopped the contest. Harpal in the heavy weight category, despite being sluggish, score a 15-8 verdict to emerge winner.

Results: Seniors SF: Fly: Rakib B. Ahmad Mal b Sohan Lal 9-7, A.B.Ratnayaka SL b Dananjay Rungeea Mau 18-4; Feather: Ramanand Ind-Y b Adan Bin Yusoh Mal RSC 3rd. Christopherly Albert Mau b Rinzin Dorji Bhu RSC 4th; Lt Welter: K. Sanjit Singh Ind-P b Cepzeu Serhiy Ukr 16-9, A. Haridas Singh Ind-Y b Agnfrema Chandra SL 17-7; Lt Middle: Hayat Singh Ind-P b G.L. Rohitha SL Rtd 2nd, Durjai Shastri Ind-Y b Theodore J. Richard Mau RSC 3rd; Super heavy: Harpal Singh Ind-Y b Michael Macaque Mau. Juniors SF: Lt Fly: Safdar Khan Ind-Y b Bandula Kumara SL 11-9; Feather: Yefymovych Olg Ukr b L. Bikramjit Singh Ind-Pl; Lt Middle: Dandusky Yevgen Ukr b Ravinder Siwach Ind-P RSC H 2nd.