Thaindian News

By Alkesh Sharma
New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) In their best performance in the history of the Commonwealth Games, Indian boxers won three golds at the jam-packed Talkatora Stadium late Wednesday.

Suranjoy Mayengbam Singh (52 kg), Manoj Kumar (64 kg) and Paramjit Samota (+ 91 kg) all won gold for India. Four bronze have also come India’s way in the event.

India had won a gold, two silver and three bronze at the 2006 Melbourne Games.

Twenty-four-year-old Suranjoy won his flyweight bout by a walkover as his Kenyan opponent Benson Njangiru did not turn up due to a wrist injury.

“I am very happy, but I beat the same Kenyan boxer 14-3 in the Commonwealth Championships (in March). So I knew what kind of a boxer he is and also his tactics,” said Suranjoy.

“I was warming up and getting ready for the bout when I got to know about the walkover. I would have liked to have beaten him in the ring, but still, a gold medal is a gold medal,” he added.

Manoj Kumar (24) defeated Bradley Saunders of England 11-2. Manoj, who remained aggressive, had a decisive 8-1 lead at the end of the second round.

After his win, Manoj said: “At the start, I had a defensive approach. My aim was to exhaust him and hit him straight. On the other hand, the huge public support and their roar gave me divine energy and then I thought I want to hit anyhow. From the beginning I felt like I was controlling the fight.”

“My brother Rajesh, who taught me boxing, gave me some tips on how to fight in the final. My biggest challenge is yet to come. I have the (2012) London Olympics in my sights,” he added.

In the super heavyweight category, Paramjit Samota (22) defeated well-built Trinidad and Tobago’s Tariq Abdul Haqq 5-1.

“I am very happy with this win. I want to thank the terrific crowd here for their overwhelming support. Whenever I was hearing their cheers, instantly my confidence and energy level was going high,” said Samota.

“I was not at all worried about his (Haqq) build or height because I knew that I had to win this final,” said Samota.

Chief boxing coach Gurbax Singh said: “Before the start of the match, Samota had promised me that he was going to win a gold and I am very happy with the way he fought in the ring. Suranjoy, Manoj and Samota have brought laurels for the whole country and we are proud of them.”

Four Indian boxers - Amandeep Singh (49 kg), Dilbagh Singh (69 kg), Vijender Singh (75 kg) and Jai Bhagwan (60 kg) won bronze medals.

Northern Ireland’s pugilists also won three gold Wednesday, while a Sri Lankan won his country’s first boxing gold at the Games.

Northern Ireland’s Paddy Barnes thrashed Jafet Uutoni of Namibia 8-4 in the 49 kg category.

Northern Ireland’s Patrick Gallagher defeated England’s Callum Smith 11-6 in the 69 kg category.

In the 56 kg category, Sri Lankan Manju Wanniarachchi won the gold after defeating Sean Mc Goldrick of Wales. The score was tied 7-7 after the final round, but Manju was declared the winner through the count-back process.

This was Sri Lanka’s first boxing gold at the Games.

The scores of Gallagher and Smith were tied 5-5 at the end of second round but the final round turned the fortunes of the Northern Ireland boxer.

“I put everything into it. I wasn’t at the top of my game, but I am very happy with the outcome,” said Gallagher.

“My game plan was to keep tight, stay to his right and slip under every shot because he (his opponent) has a nice jab and good uppercut. He hit harder than I thought. I had seen a lot of his fights and I was really impressed. I stuck to the game plan and it worked out all right,” Gallagher stated.

About the celebrations, Gallagher added: “Three months of drinking. It is going to be crazy when I get home.”

On his defeat, Smith said, “I wanted to box tight. I had the height advantage; so I wanted to keep it long, take his hits on the gloves. I had been chasing the fight after going behind in the first round, so I had to change my tactics. Then I found it hard to go back to do what I was meant to do. I lost my head a bit.”

In the 81 kg category, Callum Johnson of Scotland outclassed Norther Ireland’s Thomas Mccarthy 8-1.

“I’ve been telling you all week that I was going to do it. Everyone has made sacrifices for me to be here, including my girlfriend,” said Johnson.

“I haven’t had the confidence before and I’ve had doubts about myself. My dad has stuck by me though and said that one day I would be a champion,” he pointed out.

In the 60 kg category, Thomas Stalker, of England won over Josh Taylor of Scotland 11-3.