Jai Bhagwan begins India’s campaign with emphatic win

Bhagwan started on an aggressive note,as he took a 3-0 lead in the first 30 seconds.

It was Bhagwan’s fifth win without conceding points in the last 15 months and the 23-year-old boxer was pleased with the start.

“Segokgo started aggressively and I could see that in his eyes. He was back-pedalling a lot in the initial minutes and it gave me an opportunity to attack,” said Bhagwan,who won a bronze in the European Grand Prix last year and followed it up with a silver medal in the Asian Championship.

Keeping the rhythm

Speaking about his Manesar stint,Bhagwan said: “My father wanted me to come home but I was keen to train. I didn’t want to lose my rhythm.”

The young boxer often trains with welterweight boxer Dilbaug Singh,and coach Jaidev Bisht said the experience of training with boxers from higher categories had helped him a lot. India coach Ramanand commended Bhagwan’s approach to the bout.

“Once at NIS,I saw him training with Dilbaug and the way he was using the range of his punches was something I had not seen. He is a smart boxer,” he says.

On Saturday, Vijender Singh,Suronjoy Singh and Dilbaug Singh will be in action.

Results: 54 kg: Michael Roberts (SCO) bt Revocatus Shomari (TAN) 12-3,MDK Wanniarachchi (SRI) bt Dayne Williams (NZL) 14-1,60 kg: Josh Taylor (SCO) bt John Colin (MRI) 6-1,Jai Bhawan (IND) bt Pratile Segokgo (BOT) 16-0,Darren Edwards (WAL) bt Naser Mafuru (TAN) 18-0,Danny Philips (ENG) bt Muhammed Ridwan (SIN) 9-1,64 kg: Moses Mathengne (KEN) bt Valention Knowles (BAH) 8-2