SIWACH LEADS WAY AS ALL INDIANS ADVANCE INDIAN OPEN

Guwahati, May 20: Former world youth champion Sachin Siwach outclassed his Argentine rival Ramon Nicanor Quiroga as all seven Indians in fray had a smooth sailing on the opening day of the Indian Open boxing tournament here on Monday.

Fresh from a bronze at the GeeBee Boxing tournament, Siwach used his height to full advantage en route to a 5-0 win by a unanimous decision in the 52kg men’s category at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium. Siwach will next face former world championship bronze medalist Rogen Ladon in the quarterfinal and aiming to avenge his semifinal defeat by a split-decision in the President’s Cup. Siwach was the only Indian in the fray in the men’s section, while the women’s category saw all of them making the next round. Former world championship silver medalist Sonia Lather began her campaign with a 5-0 win over Chandra Kala Thapa to reach the quarterfinals in the 57kg.

In the women’s 60kg, Preeti Beniwal put up a robust display to outclass her Nepalese opponent Sangita Sunar in a unanimous 5-0 victory to make the quarters.

Making her competitive debut in the 60kg, Shahshi Chopra too had an easy outing defeating Bhutan’s Tandin Choden 5-0 by unanimous decision. Manisha Maun defeated Nesthy Petecio of Phillipines 4-1 in the 57kg category. Jyoti Gulia and Anamakia also made the quarterfinals with easy wins over their respective opponents.