Akhil Kumar in semis of Arafura Games
May 11th, 2011 - 8:42 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, May 11 (IANS) Indian boxer Akhil Kumar outpunched Maakal Dj of Nauru to enter the semifinals of the 56 kg category at the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, Wednesday.
Akhil’s 19:14 victory over the Nauruan has assured India of another bronze in the competition. Star boxer Vijender Singh earlier made it to the semifinals in the 81 kg category Tuesday.
The 29-year-old, making his first appearance on the international circuit after his quarter-final loss at the Commonwealth Games last year, was unrelenting in his approach. He took a 6:3 lead in the first round and with the help of some upper cuts and body blows, went on to win the second round comfortably.
Akhil said that he would have won by a bigger margin had it not been for two cautions he got in the final round.
“My opponent was not that tall and some of my punches landed below the waistline which resulted in the warning,” he said after the bout.
Akhil will face Australia’s Ibrahim Balla while Vijender will take on Sam Rapira of New Zealand in the semifinals Thursday.
Indian women boxers have also been impressive in the tournament. Pooja Rani (75kg) and Meena Rani (60kg) are already through to semifinals, assuring themselves of at least a bronze.
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Tags: arafura games, balla, body blows, boxer, commonwealth games, darwin australia, first appearance, games new, indian women, kg, meena, nauru, nauruan, New Delhi, opponent, punches, rapira, semis, victory, waistline