NEW DELHI, October 4 (agencies): Teen sensation L Devendro Singh (49kg) and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manoj Kumar (64kg) booked their Olympic berths by advancing to the World Boxing Championships` quarterfinals with contrasting wins in Baku, Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
While Manoj rallied to defeat China`s Qing Hu 17-15, 19-year-old Devendro continued his giant-killing spree by beating seventh seed Carlos Quipo of Ecuador 18-12 in another impressive performance.
The duo has sealed berths for the Olympic Games, becoming the first lot of Indian boxers to qualify for the mega-event. Top 10 boxers (from 49kg to 81kg) will make the Olympic cut while boxers in the 91kg and +91kg category will have to finish among the top-six to book their London tickets.
But there was some disappointment too for India as Asian Games silver-medallist and 12th seed Dinesh Kumar bowed out with a 7-16 loss to CWG gold-medallist Damien Hooper of Australia.
Spunky Devendro once again displayed nerves of steel against his more fancied rival.
The nimble-footed teen from Manipur took a 5-2 lead in the opening round, capitalizing on his opponent`s overtly defensive approach with some telling body blows.
“I was under immense pressure before this bout. It was once in a lifetime opportunity I did not want to miss and I think it helped me in the end to strain myself a bit before the bout,” Devendro said from Baku.
Although his rival became more aggressive in the next two rounds but Devendro managed to negate that with his precise straight body blows and hooks to seal the issue comfortably.
“I had fought with him during our recent training trip to France where he was among those I sparred with.
That gave me a good idea of his game and it helped me in this bout,” he said.
Devendro will next face Korea`s Shin Jong Hoon, who defeated France`s Jeremy Beccu 22-10.
But Dinesh`s loss came as a dampener in the day session of the mega-event as he paid the price for relying too much on power then movement against an agile rival, who impressed with his ring craft and reflexes.
Devendro had defeated his Mexican opponent Velazquez Joselito in his previous bout winning by a phenomenal score of 40:19 points.
well done , I do hope you will perform your best level in London Olympic games
congrats …hope you will win gold and make us proud
With best wishes, my dear brother “Devendro”!
Hopefully you will bring laurels to this little state where uncertainty
of blockades, bandhs, and general strike prevails. We are waiting for
your success news!!!
Wish you best of luck my dear brother “Devendro”. We are hoping you that you will definitely win Gold Medal in London Olympics Games -2012. We are really very much proud of you as you have shown to every nation of the world that Meitei also have extra ordinary courage to fight against their opponent in term of games. Again, I pray to the almighty of Meitei God “Sidaba Mapu” for success of you in this mega event.
well done DEVENDRO SINGH.
I congrats devendro singh on his being qualified for the world mega-event 2012 Olympics.
meiteis are among the neglected few by the mainlanders of the sub-continent. I pray the ALMIGHTY-SIDABA-MAPU for his gold in the 2012 Olympics.
yengkhoiba Tolen
pasighat,Arunachal Pradesh.