Devendro settles for silver at President's Cup in Kazakhstan

Olympic bound boxer L Devendro Singh (49kg) had to be content with a silver medal finish from the 3^rd International ‘Republic of Kazakhstan President’s Cup’ in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Sunday (6 May 2012). The 20 year old came agonisingly close to claiming his first gold medal on the senior tour. Devendro, who beat Olympian and 2010 Asian Games silver medalist Birzhan Zakipov, was up against Cuba’s top light flyweight boxer and bronze medal winner at the 2010 Youth World Boxing Championships Yosvany Veitia in the title clash.

He started well, keeping pace with his Cuban opponent – after the opening three minutes of play the scores were tied at 4 all. But with the beginning of the second round, Veitia, with his sound defence and precise combinations took the game away from the Indian boxer. Devendro attacked vigorously in the final round but could not penetrate Veitia’s guard as much as he would have liked. In the end, he lost the bout on points 11:15.

“It was a difficult bout and the Cuban had a sound technique, I tried hard to get inside and fight but did not get many chances to score. Nonetheless I am happy with my performance; this tour has been a big learning curve for me and it will help a great deal in my preparations for the Olympics”, expressed Devendro after his bout.

Chief National Coach GS Sandhu, who accompanied the team said, “Devendro did well to reach to the finals of the tournament, he beat some good and experienced boxers along the way. Like I said at the beginning of the tour, it is the experience and learning from tours like these that is important to us. Winning medals is an added incentive and motivation, it always helps”

Earlier in the tournament Asian Games silver medallist Manpreet Singh (91kg) and debutant Kanwar Preet Singh (+91kg) had to settle for a bronze medal finish after losing out in the semi-finals of their respective weight categories. Manpreet put up a brave performance against Abduganiev Arbek of Kazakhstan, but in the end came up short (12:19). Kanwar on the other hand went down in a one sided contest – Kazakh Dichko Ivan proving too strong for the Indian rookie; he lost on points 13:3.