New Delhi: Indian boxer Sumit Kundu (75 kg) defeated world championship silver medalist Dzhambulat Bizhamov of Russia to enter the second round, but three others lost their first fights in the 73rd Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Reigning national champion Sumit, who entered only his second international senior tournament, beat his opponent 5-0 on Sunday to set up a clash with Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak.
However, Narender Berwal (+92 kg), Varinder Singh (60 kg) and Lakshya Chahar (86 kg) lost their encounters in the opening round.
Narender lost 2-3 against Spaniard Ayoub Ghadfa Drissi, while Varinder and Chahar lost 5-0 and 4-1 to Russians Artur Subkhankulov and Sharabutdin Ataev respectively.
On the second day of Europe’s oldest international boxing tournament, four Indian boxers start their campaigns.
Shiksha will face reigning Asian champion Dina Zholaman of Kazakhstan in the 54kg category, while Nitu (48kg) and Anamika (50kg) are the other two Indian women to start their campaign.
Among the men, Akash Sangwan (67 kg), who received a bye in the opening round, will fight in his second round late tonight against German boxer Deniel Krotter.
The tournament features more than 450 boxers from 36 countries, including traditional powerhouses such as Kazakhstan, Italy, Russia and France.
A 17-strong Indian contingent, including seven men and 10 women, will participate in the tournament.
India won two medals in the last edition, with Deepak Kumar and Naveen Boora securing silver and bronze respectively.
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