India pin medal hopes on Kumar trio
Enlarge Photo Tulashboy Doniyorov (R) of Uzbekistan fights Jitender Kumar of India during the men’s flyweight (51kg)…BEIJING (Reuters) – Indian hopes of a first Olympic boxing medal were high on Saturday, with three fighters reaching the quarterfinals.
The trio, coincidentally all called Kumar, a common name in India, will secure at least bronze if they win their next bouts.
Light-flyweight Jitender Kumar reached the last eight on Saturday by outpointing Uzbek Tulashboy Doniyorov 13-6 and middleweight Vijender Kumar followed him through with a 13-3 points win over Thailand’s Angkhan Chomphuphuang.
Bantamweight Akhil Kumar had advanced on Friday, extending a brilliant run by upsetting Russian world champion Sergey Vodopyanov.
Jitender, who survived a fright when Doniyorov opened a cut on his chin but was able to finish the bout, paid tribute to Akhil for giving him precious advice.
“Akhil had fought him (Doniyorov) before and knew a lot about him,” Jitender said. “We talked about the fight last night. I couldn’t sleep but Akhil told me I would win. All the credit goes to him.”
Jitender will be tested in the next round when he meets Russia’s Georgy Balakshin.
