Maharashtra: It was another quantum leap for Indian boxing with a record number of participants at the Sub-Junior Men’s National Boxing Championship in Akola, Maharashtra. The event that began on Sunday (26 Aug 2012) witnessed a staggering number of 482 boxers from 33 state and board teams contesting for the premier national title. The championship format has been divided into four categories - boys of age 15 & 16 years (Group A), 14 years (Group B), 13 years (Group C) and 12 years (Group D). 168 medals would be on stake in 42 weight categories spread over the above mentioned four age groups. The 28th edition of the tournament that will go on till 31st Aug 2012 is being organised by the Maharashtra Boxing Association (MBA) under the aegis of Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF). IABF Secretary General, Brig PK Muralidharan Raja believes the Sub-Junior National Championships play an instrumental role in the professional career of budding athlete. He also added, “It is great to see such astounding participation at the very first level of the sport. A part of the surge in numbers can be credited to the change in the age group structure. Still 482 is an overwhelming figure and augurs really well for the future of Indian boxing.”
Jay Kowli, President of the Maharashtra State Boxing Association also expressed his delight at the large number of participants in this year’s tournament. Talking about the importance of the tournament he added, “The Sub-Junior Nationals is a very significant part of the Indian boxing structure. It is the nursery of Indian boxing where future champions are unearthed. Right from Dinko Singh, Akhil Kumar, Vijender Singh, the likes of Vikas Krishan and Devendro Singh all started their journey from here. This is the most important tournament in terms of recognising talent”. Kowli also stressed on the need to further stabilize the sub-junior nationals, “In 2011 we at MBA proposed to hold the next four junior/sub nationals in Maharashtra in the month of August every year. The proposal was approved by IABF and hence this is our second year running hosting the event and we will hold two more in the coming years. This way there is a certain solidarity that comes into the championship,” he added.
Action moved into the first phase of the quarter-final bouts as day three of the championship unfolded. Reigning Sub Junior National and Haryana State Champion Suraj registered a thumping victory over Akash Singh of Chhattisgarh in the 38 kilogram weight class of the 14 year group. He hardly broke a sweat in getting the better of Singh and advancing to the semis with 13:4 win. In the 48kg of the same age, Chandansah of Karnataka upstaged 2010 sub junior nationals silver medallist Emmanuel Jacob Hall of Tamil Nadu in a thrilling contest. Both the fighters put in a good effort, but in the end it was the Karnataka boxer who emerged victorious. Local lad Shashikant Yadav displayed great agility and tactics as he edged past Debojit Kalita of Assam to move into the round of four of the 48 kilogram weight. After first four minutes of play, the scores were knotted at 5 all. But in the third round, Yadav upped the ante with some flamboyant combinations and ring movement. He won the round comprehensively 6:3 and with it the bout 11:8.
The 42 kilogram weight category of the 13 year age group witnessed a tough fight as Karambir Bharti of Chandigarh took on Lathankunga of Mizoram. Both the boxers started cautiously in the first round, deciding to measure their opponent first. But in the second Karambir, a bronze medallist at the sub-junior nationals last year gathered pace and dominated the game with his precise attacks. But, Lathankunga had the edge in the final two minutes with his powerful jabs and body blows; unfortunately he was not able to cut the overall deficit. Karambir emerged as the winner with the slim margin of 1 point (8:7). In the 40 kilogram weight division of the same age group, Nelli Sudheer had little trouble drubbing Anand Kumar of Rajasthan in what was a completely one sided affair. Sudheer led from the start to finish, never really giving Kumar much opportunities to score. He won 17:8 on points. In the semis he will square off against Rahul from Chandigarh, who upset Deepak Kashyap of Chhattisgarh, in a bout that saw some high powered punching.
In the 12 year age group Zodinmawia (38kg) of Mizoram, Kanishk Raj (38kg) of Rajasthan, Sunil Puri (40kg) of Uttarakhand and Akash Kumar (42kg) of Haryana, all registered easy victories to advance into the semi-final stage of the tournament.
By Indian Sports News Network
