New Delhi: Led by Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, five Indian boxers moved into the semifinals, even as Melbourne Games champion Akhil Kumar crashed out in the quarterfinals at the Commonwealth Games here on Sunday.
Akhil lost the 56kg bout against Olympics bronze medallist Bruno Julie 5-7.
Jai Bhagwan (60kg), Dibagh Singh (69), Paramjit Samota (+91) and Manoj Kumar (64) are the other boxers who won their quarter-final bout on Sunday.
Vijender warned his opponents knocking out Nambian boxer Elias Nashivela in just a minute in the 75 kg category. Dilbagh Singh defeated Maobi Mothiba of Botswana 11-3. Manoj Kumar overpowered Kenyan Blackmoses Mathenge 6-2 while Paramjit defeated Australian Alexe Mukhin 7-4.
Akhil was tied 1-1 after the first round, but then lost his momentum. "I had beaten the same opponent earlier but today luck was on his side. I do not want to give any excuse for the defeat," said Akhil.
Jai Bhagwan, who had earlier won a gold in the Commonwealth Championship, outclassed Nigerian Waheed Sogbamu 10-0.
"If I manage to win a gold medal then it would be a turning point in my career," he said.
However, Jai Bhagwan was disappointed with Akhil's defeat.
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