BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Commonwealth Games hero Manoj Kumar and four other Indian boxers yesterday stormed into the finals at the Doha International Boxing Tournament.
Kumar, who won a gold medal in the light welterweight class at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, yesterday overcame Mohamed Eslam Ahmed of Egypt in their light welter class (64kg) fight.
Gaurav Bidhuri, Shiva Thapa, Manish Kaushik and Laishram Devendro also signed in for the finals to be held today at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
In other bouts yesterday, Qatar’s boxers failed to cross the semi-final stages.
Home medal hope Sonday Qlement went down to Mohamed Assaghir of Morocco in their light heavy class (81kg) while Amir Alsaae was no match against Australia’s Whateley Jason.
“The bout was a bit difficult. I felt a bit tired, fought very hard, but I gave it my all for a win. I have been working hard over the last two months for this tournament,” Assaghir said.
“I will try do my best in the final. I have not fought him (the other finalist) before,” the Moroccan added.
Kumar, India’s vastly experienced fighter, beat Ahmed in a unanimous points decision.
“Let’s see what happens tomorrow. If I am destined to win, I will. However, I have come here prepared. We have worked really hard,” Kumar said.
“These African boxers are tough to negotiate. We are usually busy fighting Asian boxers but when you take on such boxers, you have to adopt a different strategy,” Kumar said.
“My first attempt is not to get injured and hurt as I am close to a final. Anyway, I feel on top of my game and I guess my experience helps,” Kumar admitted.
Kumar’s compatriot Kaushik also posted a win, beating Abdelaal Mahmoud of Egypt in their light class (60kg) bout.
“He was a tough opponent but my coaches had prepared me well. I have beaten him previously in Indonesia,” Kaushik said.
“I have just started out in my career. I am 19. There’s a long way to go. My goal is to reach the Olympics one day. I am working towards that.
“We are surrounded by some very good Indian boxers. We have Olympic champions and Asian champions here. There’s a lot of competition,” he added.
India’s Bidhuri beat Qatar’s Mostafa Hegazy with ease in their fly class (52kg).
“I didn’t expect much of a fight and that’s what happened. I tried to keep testing myself by playing the three rounds with control,” Bidhuri said. “He wasn’t very experienced and I have been in top-flight boxing for some time. I am well prepared and I want to win the gold medal,” he said.
India’s Thapa won a unanimous points decision against Tunisia’s Bilel Mhamdi in their bantam class bout (56kg).
“See, we have come here prepared. Our coaches led by Sandhu sir and other people keep us informed and ready,” Thapa said.
“We watch and analyse opponents. We watch videos of other boxers. I am sure we can go on and win a medal each,” he added.
“It is great to see so many Indian boxers reach the finals. We are here to pick up medals,” Thapa said.
Tunisia’s Montassar Bouali battled for his win over Iraq’s Hassan Ali Shaker in their fly class (52kg) bout.
“I have come here battle ready. I had been competing in another competition in Algeria before I came here,” Bouali said.
“I am happy with my win today because he (Hassan Ali) is a tough fighter. I landed some solid punches. I’d be very happy if I can win the gold tomorrow against Gaurav. I’ve never fought him before,” he added.
Nico Magliquian of the Philippines beat Sahm Karrar of Iraq in their light welter (64kg) fight.
“It was a tough bout. I am glad. I have come through. He was a tough opponent. It feels great to be in the final,” Magliquian said.
“I will try my best to win a gold medal tomorrow.
“Being here is a good preparation for me since we have the World Championships. I hope I can come here again,” he added.
Qatar coach Juanito Carlos Basnueva said: “We know our boxers today. We went in with a very strong boxer. He played with heart. We need more preparation. And that will be the key in the future when we go for other tournaments.”
He added: “We will have a look at the mistakes our boxers made and try to rectify them for future tournaments. We don’t have too many bouts here. But we have been moving up. Our boxers have improved a lot.”
The Cuban told local media: “Earlier when they used to play with Morocco, Egypt, they would barely last the entire bout. Now they are looking to finish the fights. Physical preparation is an area we need to work on.”
THE PENINSULA
