Indian pugilists at the Olympics: Day 2

After a mixed opening day, the Indian boxing team had much to cheer about on the second day as Jai Bhagwan thrashed Andrique Alisop of Seychelles by a 18-8 margin, to storm into the pre-quater final round in the men’s lightweight (60 kg) category at the Excel South Arena.

Bhagwan, who was the lone Indian pugilist in action yesterday, put up a dominating show and controlled the proceeding from round one against his lesser experienced opponent. Displaying an aggressive intent, the Indian used his height to good effect and took a 7-3 lead in the first round.

He continued to exert pressure on Alisop with a flurry of jabs and punches in the second round, which also finished with a scoreline of 7-3 in favor of Bhagwan.

Alisop tried to make an improbable comeback in the third round, but Bhagwan showed great defensive skills as well to keep the Seychellois at bay, and take a 4-2 lead in the third round and win the bout with an overall verdict of 18-8.

While the Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, Vijender Singh moved into the pre-quarterfinals of the middleweight (75 kg) category by defeating Kazakhstan’s Danabek Sukhanov with a 14-10 verdict, the 18 years old Shiva Thapa, considered as a serious medal contender, bowed out with a 9-14 loss against Mexico’s Oscar Valdez Fierro in the bantamweight (56 kg) category.

In the pre-quarterfinals, Bhagwan will now be up against Gani Zhailauov of Kazakhstan, who got the better of Thai Saylom Ardee in a closely fought encounter.