Rio de Janeiro: After a dismal Day 3, India had a lot to cheer about on Day of the Rio Olympics competition, as after Atanu Das made it into the pre-quarters of the men's individual event; Indian men hockey team beat Argentina 2-1 in a pulsating group B encounter. Later, Vikas Krishnan too made it to the next round in the 75-kg middle weight category boxing event.
Atanu Das was the star of the day, as he progressed to the pre-quarters, winning two matches in under two hours. He first beat Nepal's Bahadur Muktan 6-0 in the round of 32 and then got the better of Adrian Andres Puentes, beating the Cuban 6-4. He will now face South Korea's Lee Seung-Yun.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s hockey also brought cheers into the Indian camp as they beat Argentina 2-1. India opened their campaign through Chinglensana Kangujam in the eighth minute and doubled their lead in the third quarter through Kothajit Khadangbam. Argentina reduced the margin through penalty corner conversion by Gonzalo Peillet early in the fourth quarter. They exerted considerable pressure on the Indian defence thereafter but failed to score an equalizer.
In the men's middleweight (75 kg) category, Vikas Krishan had an easy day against Charles Conwell, winning the bout by unanimous decision. The judges scored the three rounds 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 in favour of Vikas. Vikas will now face Turkey's Onder Sipal in the pre-quarters.
However, rower Dattu Baban Bhokanal finished fourth in the men's single scull quarter-finals to be out of the medal contention while shooter Heena Sidhu ended a disappointing 28th in 25m Air Pistol event.
