Gaurav reaches final of Asian Youth and Junior Boxing Championships
India’s Gaurav Saini defeated Zakirov Mukhamadjiz of Uzbekistan to enter the final of the junior boys’ 70kg weight category at the ASBC Youth and Junior Boxing Championships in Dubai. With this Gaurav has secured at least a silver medal for himself. Apart from Gaurav, three other Indians Ashish (54kg), Anshul (57kg) and Bharat Jun (plus 81kg) also put on impressive performances to enter the last-4 stage on the second day of the prestigious continental competition. All three have secured at least a bronze medal for themselves.
Earlier, Rohit Chamoli (48kg) and Ankush (66kg) had secured medals for themselves by making it to the semi-finals in the junior boys’ section.
Haryana boxer Gaurav looked in good form and, despite some resistance from his Uzbek rival, did not lose any control before winning 4-1 in the light middleweight category.
Ashish and Anshul also dominated against their respective opponents Rahmanov Jafar of Tajikistan and local title contender Mansoor Khalid respectively. While Ashish registered an easy 5-0 win in a one-sided fashion, Anshul’s strong strikes and relentless attack forced the referee to stop the match in the first round itself and pass the result to the Indian side.
Bharat, on the other hand, had to work hard against another Uzbek boxer Kenesbayev Aynajar Tolibe in a tight 3-2 win.
Meanwhile, Krish Pal (46kg) and Preet Malik (63kg) however lost their last eight matches.
Seven young male boxers Vishwanath Suresh (48kg), Victor Shekhom Singh (54kg), Vijay Singh (57kg), Rabichandra Singh (60kg), Vanshman (64kg), Daksh Singh (67kg) and Jaideep Rawat (71kg) kg) will play.
All of them want to ensure a medal for themselves on the fourth day with a victory in the Charter final. This is the first time that both junior and youth age groups are being played together in the Asian Championships.
The ongoing Asian Championships, a much-needed competitive tournament for promising young talent at the Asian level, after a gap of almost two years, was put on hold due to the pandemic.
India’s boxers have already assured the country of over 25 medals in the event, which is witnessing stiff competition in the presence of boxers from strong boxing nations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
