2018 Commonwealth Games:Sarita Devi, Hussamuddin enter boxing quarters

Veteran Indian woman boxer L. Sarita Devi stormed into the quarter-finals of the 60kg category with a 5-0 unanimous verdict over Barbados’ Kimberly Gittens at the 21st Commonwealth Games here on Saturday.

Sarita, 36, brought her experience to the fore against the 26-year-old Kimberly. The Indian got identical 30-25 verdicts from each of the five judges.

Sarita, the silver medallist at the 2014 Glasgow CWG, played her trademark counter-attacking game, waiting for the opponent to open up in launching an attack. Kimberly also lacked compactness and composure while defending. Sarita stood in distance, waiting for Kimberly to come to her and initiate attack.

READ | 2018 Commonwealth Games: Manu Bhaker, Heena Sindhu To Start India’s Shooting Campaign

Sarita was quick enough to make the most of the opportunities in landing combination of jabs and hooks. Kimberly’s positioning at the moment of defending was also called into question.

After the first round, Sarita had dealt a psychological blow on the opponent, forcing Kimberly to come out with a different strategy. Kimberly opened up less in the second round but Sarita still managed to dominate. The pattern was a left hook followed up by straight punches.

The blows from Sarita were so accurate and stinging that the ring judge even gave a three count to Kimberly to end the contest. But the Barbadian pugilist refused to surrender.

In the final round, Sarita slightly dropped her game but her know-how and tactical acumen were enough to come out convincing winner.

READ | 2018 Commonwealth Games: Indian hockey team held to 2-2 draw by Pakistan

Sarita will take on Anja Stridsman of Australia in the quarter-final.

Hussamuddin Mohammed enters last 8

Indian boxer Hussamuddin Mohammed thrashed Boe Warawara of Vanuatu to advance into the quarter-finals of the men’s 56 kilogram category.

Hussamuddin dominated the proceedings from the start to clinch a 5-0 victory through unanimous decision. The four judges gave him a 30-27 advantage.

READ | 2018 Commonwealth Games: Kidambi Srikanth leads India to badminton team event semis

Right from the beginning, the Indian boxer cleared his intentions as he landed punched furiously.

At some stages, Warawara tried to attack Hussamuddin but some brilliant counter-attacking from the Indian player helped him comfortably clinch the issue.

He will now face Mwanjwango Ezra of Tanzania on April 10.

Manoj in quarters

Indian boxer Manoj Kumar entered the quarter-final round, defeating Kassim Mbundwike of Tanzania in the men’s 69kg category at the 21st Commonwealth Games.

Manoj thrashed Mbundwike 5-0 in a unanimous decision. The all four judges gave him 30-27 advantage.

Right through the match Manoj played brilliantly, landing a flurry of punches flying from both sides of the ring.

Manoj Kumar continued his attack and forced the Tanzanian boxer to defend in the scond round.

Soon, the furious attacking from the Indian boxer left his opponent short of energy and at the end Mbundwike surrendered the match.

Manoj will now face Nickolas Terry of Australia on April 10