Manoj advances; Shiva, Vikas bow out of Thailand International

Rohit Tokas (64kg) and K Shyam Kumar (49kg) also advanced to the quarters.

Manoj Kumar.

Former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Manoj Kumar (69kg) advanced to the quarters but World Championships medallists Vikas Krishan (75kg) and Shiva Thapa (60kg) lost in the opening round of the Thailand International Boxing Tournament in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Manoj defeated Vietnam’s Huynh Ngoc Vien to enter the round of last eight. Rohit Tokas (64kg) and K Shyam Kumar (49kg) also advanced to the quarters.

While Rohit defeated Australia’s Muhammed Demirkaya, Shyam got the better of local favourite Thani Narinram. Both Shyam and Rohit are former medallists at this event having won a gold and bronze respectively in the 2015 edition.

But, for former Asian champion Shiva, who ended up sustaining a cut above his eye, lost to Thailand’s Sonchay Wongsuwan in his opening bout.

Vikas also exited early who competed for the first time since last year’s Olympic Games. The former World bronze-medallist went down to Kazakhstan’s Alzhanov Yerik.

It was curtains for Commonwealth Games silver-medallist L. Devendro Singh (52kg) as well. Devendro went down fighting to Cuba’s Frank Zaldivar Santisteba in his opening bout.

In the bantamweight category, Mohammed Hussamuddin was defeated by Filipino Fernandez Mario.