Opening bout win a great confidence booster, says boxer Manoj after reaching pre-quarters

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Aug. 13 (ANI): Indian boxer Manoj Kumar, who has made it to the pre-quarterfinals of the Men's Light Welter 64kg event at the ongoing Rio Olympics, has said he will take the confidence from his emphatic first round win as he is looking forward to clinch an elusive Olympic medal for the country.

Manoj booked his place in the pre-quarterfinals after knocking down Lithuania's former lightweight Olympic bronze-medallist Evaldas Petrauskas 29-28, 29-28, 28-29 in three rounds of the thrilling preliminary bout.

While calling on his fans to pray for him, the 29-year-old said he is confident to put up an improved performance in the crucial match.

"I have gained a lot of confidence after beating London Olympic medallist in the opening bout. I will take this confidence in the next bout. I have full support of Indian fans. I am hopeful to clinch the victory in the upcoming match. My hard work and trust gives me confidence. My preparation has been going well with the help of my coach Rajesh Kumar. I will surely achieve better this time. I want to request my fans to pray for me. I have come here for gold and working hard for it. I am taking one match at a time," Manoj told ANI.

Manoj, who hails from Haryana's Kaithal district, will play against Fazliddin Gaibnazarov of Uzbekistan for a place in the last eight.