INDIA – the sporting world in sitting at the edge of their seats as India has taken the sporting arena by storm at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. World championships silver medallists Amit Panghal, Asian bronze medallists Jasmine Lamboria and rookie Sagar Ahlawat booked berths in the semifinals as India secured three more boxing medals in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Thursday.
Amit outsmarted Scotland’s Lennon Mulligan 5-0 in a 51kg quarterfinal contest.
Jasmine, who got a bye into the last-eight, saw off gritty New Zealander Troy Garton 4-1 in a 60kg bout.
Sagar upset Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Keddy Agnes of Seychelles 5-0 in a +92kg duel.
Amit displayed another fine example of high quality counter-punching to tame the spirited Mulligan.
Backed by his excellent footwork and marvelous defending skills, Amit landed superb head and body shots on his opponent and led in the first round.
Even as Mulligan showed more aggression, Amit retained his composure and delivered well-directed punches in the second round.
Amit’s quick combinations followed by a solid left brought a standing count for Mulligan in the final round and sealed the fate of the contest.
Amit will take on Zambian Olympian Patrick Chinyemba.
Southpaw Jasmine used her long reach and footwork to execute her counters well and beat a feisty Troy.
She will meet England’s former World youth champion Gemma Richardson.
Taller southpaw Sagar threw some heavy blows to keep the stocky Agnes in check. Sagar’s precise punches inflicted a count each on his experienced rival in second and third rounds. He will face Nigerian Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
Lovlina exits
In a 70kg last-eight match on Wednesday night, Olympics bronze medallists Lovlina Borgohain was handed a shock 3-2 defeat by Wales’s Rosie Eccles.
Lovlina won the first two rounds but lost the advantage when she was handed a one-point penalty for holding her opponent in the second round.
Ashish Kumar was beaten 4-1 by England’s Aaron Bowen in an 80kg quarterfinal bout.
