London Olympics: Vijender, Jai advance to pre-quarters

London: After a disappointing start on the first day of competition at the London Olympics, the Indian boxing contingent returned with a couple of good performances as Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75kg) and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jai Bhagwan (60kg) advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the tournament, registering comprehensive victories in the round of 32.

Jai Bhagwan playing against Allisop Andrique of Seychelles made full use of his height and reach against his shorter opponent. Making his Olympic debut, the 26-year-old superior ring craft was on display as he dominated the game from the very start taking a quick four point lead (7:3). He opened the gap to eight points with an identical score in the second round (7:3). A sound combination of defence and attack in the final round saw him seal the deal with an 18:8 victory. In the round of 16, the Indian boxer will look to avenge his AIBA World Championship loss in Baku, as takes on Gani Zhailauov of Kazakhstan on Thursday (2 Aug 2012).

Jai lost to Zhailauovwith just a one point difference in the quarter-finals of the world championships in the Azeri capital last year. Out of the two times the two boxers have met, both share an equal record of one win each.

Earlier in the evening session of play on Saturday, India’s top pugilist Vijender made a good start to his Olympic campaign with an affirming victory in his opening round bout. The 26-year-old got the better of 2010 Asian Games bronze medallist Danabek Suzhanov of Kazakhstan with his calculative play and superior tactics.

The 2010 Asian Games gold medallist started slow, deciding to measure his opponent first. In a hard fought first round Vijender, with his patient defensive approach and quick counters managed to squeeze in a crucial one point lead 5:4. With the beginning of the second the experienced HaryanaKazak boxer. He finally won the bout on point 14:10.

“Suzhanov was not an easy opponent to beat, he had a good attacking play, but I defended and countered well, in the end it paid off. It was a hard fought bout and I am happy to have won it,” said Vijender after his victory. He now takes on winner of the American Olympic Qualification Tournament Terrell Gausha of the United States on also on Thursday (2 Aug 2012).