Asian Games boxing: Krishan, Manpreet in semis

GUANGZHOU - Indian boxers continued to impress as Vikas Krishan and Manpreet Singh moved into the semifinals of the 60 kg and 91 kg categories at the Asian Games here Sunday.

They join Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75 kg), Dinesh Kumar (81 kg), Suranjoy Singh (52 kg) and Paramjeet Samota (+91 kg), who have already made it to the semifinals slated for Wednesday.

In the women’s 57 kg bout, Preet Beniwal beat Mongolian Suvd Erdene Oyungerel 8-2 to enter the quarterfinals.

Vikas defeated Chol Song Kim of North Korea 4-2 to enter the semifinals.

Krishnan opened up a 1-0 lead in the first round and added two more points in the second round. Kim foughtback in the third round scoring two points to the Indian’s one but it was too little abd too late. Krishnan will take on Hurshid Tojibaev of Uzbekistan in the semifinal.

Manpreet also made it to the semifinals in the 91kg with a 6-4 win over Zaifula Maimaiti of China. Manpreet had a comfortable 5-1 lead after the two rounds and sailed through to the semifinal where he will next face Jakhon Qurbonov of Tajakistan.

Two more Indians Amandeep Singh (46-49 kg) and Santosh Kumar (64 kg) will have their quarterfinal bouts Monday.