New Delhi: Indian boxer Sumit Kundu (75kg) upstaged World Championship silver medallist Dzhambulat Bizhamov of Russia to enter the second round of the 73rd Strandja Memorial tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. However, three other Indian pugilists lost their respective first round bouts. Sumit is competing in only his second senior international tournament. The reigning national champion in his weight category, Sumit completely dominated his Russian opponent to win 5-0 in his bout played Sunday. He will next meet Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak.
However, Narender Berwal (+92kg), Varinder Singh (60kg) and Lakshya Chahar (86kg) lost their bouts. Narender went down 2-3 against Spain’s Ayoub Ghadfa Drissi while Varinder and Chahar lost to Russians Artur Subkhankulov and Sharabutdin Ataev by 0-5 and 1-4 margins respectively.
The second day of Europe’s oldest international boxing tournament will see four Indian boxers starting their campaigns.
Shiksha (54kg) will face reigning Asian champion Dina Zholaman from Kazakhstan. Nitu (48kg) and Anamika (50kg) are the other two Indian women who will begin their campaign.
Among men, Akash Sangwan (67kg), who received a bye in the opening round, will fight German pugilist Deniel Krotter in his second round bout later Monday evening.
This edition of the tournament is, featuring over 450 boxers from 36 countries, including traditional powerhouses such as Kazakhstan, Italy, Russia and France.
India won two medals in the last edition with Deepak Kumar and Naveen Boora securing silver and bronze respectively.