CWG: Sarita, Manoj, Hussamuddin enter quarters (Boxing Roundup)

Indian boxers continued to produce commanding performances on the third day of the 21st Commonwealth Games as L. Sarita Devi, Manoj Kumar and Mohammed Hussamuddin entered the quarter-finals of the prestigious meet here on Saturday.

In the first match Round-of-16 match, veteran woman boxer Sarita stormed into the quarter-finals of the 60kg category with a 5-0 unanimous verdict over Barbados' Kimberly Gittens.

Sarita, 36, brought her experience to the fore against the 26-year-old Kimberly. The Indian got identical 30-25 verdicts from each of the five judges.

Sarita, the silver medallist at the 2014 Glasgow CWG, played her trademark counter-attacking game, waiting for the opponent to open up in launching an attack. Kimberly also lacked compactness and composure while defending. Sarita stood in distance, waiting for Kimberly to come to her and initiate attack.

Sarita was quick enough to make the most of the opportunities in landing combination of jabs and hooks. Kimberly's positioning at the moment of defending was also called into question.

After the first round, Sarita had dealt a psychological blow on the opponent, forcing Kimberly to come out with a different strategy. Kimberly opened up less in the second round but Sarita still managed to dominate. The pattern was a left hook followed up by straight punches.

The blows from Sarita were so accurate and stinging that the ring judge even gave a three count to Kimberly to end the contest. But the Barbadian pugilist refused to surrender.

In the final round, Sarita slightly dropped her game but her know-how and tactical acumen were enough to come out convincing winner.

Sarita will take on Anja Stridsman of Australia in the quarter-final.

In the second match, Mohammed Hussamuddin thrashed Boe Warawara of Vanuatu in the men's 56 kilogram category.

Hussamuddin dominated the proceedings from the start to clinch a 5-0 victory through unanimous decision. The four judges gave him a 30-27 advantage.

He will now face Mwanjwango Ezra of Tanzania on April 10.

Manoj also entered the quarter-final round, defeating Kassim Mbundwike of Tanzania in the men's 69kilogram category.

Manoj thrashed Mbundwike 5-0 in a unanimous decision. The judges gave him 30-27 advantage.

Right through the match Manoj played brilliantly, landing a flurry of punches flying from both sides of the ring to clinch the issue.

Manoj will now face Nickolas Terry of Australia on April 10.

--IANS

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