Pooja, Vikas book Olympic berths
Amman (Jordan), March 8: Asian champion Pooja Rani (75kg) and the seasoned Vikas Krishan (69kg) on Sunday became the first set of Indian boxers to qualify for this year’s Tokyo Olympics by advancing to the semifinals of the continental qualifiers here.
While fourth-seeded Rani notched up a facile 50 win over Thailand’s Pornnipa Chutee, Krishan endured a tough one against third-seeded Japanese Sewonrets Okazawa before also prevailing in a unanimous verdict against the Asian silver-medallist.
However, first-timer Sachin Kumar (81kg) went down in a split decision to China’s national champion Daxaing Chen in his quarterfinal bout. But, he remains in the hunt for an Olympic berth if he can win the two-bout boxoff between the losing quarterfinalists. The top five boxers in his category will get a spot in the Tokyo Games.
While Rani secured her maiden Olympic spot, Krishan will be making his third successive appearance at the quadrennial showpiece, scheduled in JulyAugust.
“I had never fought against this girl before today and honestly, I was a bit scared. I had told my coaches about it before the bout. They instilled confidence in me and I could pull off a one-sided result. I am happy,” said the 29-year-old Rani, who fought career-threatening shoulder and hand injuries before her gold at last year’s Asian Championships. Rani will next face the reigning world and Asian champion Li Qian of China, who has the top billing in the 75kg category. Qian had no trouble in beating Mongolia’s Myagmarjargal Munkhbat 5-0 in the opening bout of the day.