Amit Panghal and Shiva Thapa recorded convincing wins, while Sachin Siwach punched above his weight to advance to the semifinals of the second India Open international boxing tournament at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday.
Asian Games gold medallist Panghal defeated Chakapong Chanpirom of Thailand 5-0 in the 52kg quarterfinal contest. Former World championship bronze medallist Thapa overcame a strong challenge from Hellene Damien of Mauritius to secure a 5-0 victory in 60kg.
Former World youth champion Siwach upset ex-Worlds bronze medallist Rogen Ladon of Philippines in a split, 4-1, verdict in a 52kg bout. Siwach will meet Commonwealth Games gold winner Gaurav Solanki, who beat hard-hitting Mauritian Louis Fleurot 5-0, in the last four.
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Another World bronze winner Gaurav Bidhuri thwarted an attacking Turkmenistan boxer Bayramhan Permanov 3-2 in 56kg.
Panghal and Thapa stood out for the fine execution of their plans.
Meeting Chanpirom for the first time, Panghal gauged his opponent before landing some clean shots on counter-attack. As the Thai switched to a more attacking mode, Panghal used a combination of punches to emerge winner.
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Backed by loud cheers from home fans, local lad Thapa boxed with maturity and composure to get the better of tall southpaw Damien. Moving back and forth, Thapa stayed out of the Mauritian's grasp and delivered his punches whenever he found an opening.
“The execution of my plan to box from inside was perfect,” said Thapa, who will meet Krystian Sczepanski of Poland in the semis.
Siwach learnt from his past mistake against Ladon in the President's Cup in Kazakhstan to topple the Filippino.
Meanwhile, the event lost a bit of sheen due to the absence of the powerful Uzbek team. The reason for its no show, which resulted in walkovers, was not known.
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