Indian boxers on course for a clean sweep at SAG

Laishram Sarita Devi returned to competitive ring in style as all Indian pugilists stormed into the semifinal round to remain on course for a clean sweep in boxing at the 12th South Asian Games, here today.
Making a return into the competitive circuit after a one-year ban, Asian Games bronze medalist Sarita Devi outclassed Bangladeshi rookie Akter Saki in a technical knockout lasting less than 30 seconds in the 60kg category.
Sarita Devi's powerful jab was enough to outclass her opponent as the referee saved the Bangladeshi from unnecessary punishment adjudging the Indian a clear winner on technical knockout.
In the last bout of the day, Pooja Rani Devi overwhelmed Nepal's Sunar Sangita in 75kg women's section to join the other Indian semifinalists, which include Laishram Devendro Singh (49kg), Madan Lal (52kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), Dheeraj (60kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg) and Vikas Krishan (75kg) all featuring in the men's competition.

Five-time world champion MC Mary Kom got a first round bye and the London Olympics bronze medalist will now face Bangladesh's Shamina Akter in the semifinal of the 51kg women's category tomorrow.
Earlier, Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medalist Laishram Devendro Singh gave India a rousing start when he brushed aside his Bhutanese opponent Tashi Wangdi 3-0 to storm into the last four round in front of a boisterous crowd at the SAI Complex in the North Eastern Hill University.

World Championship bronze medalist Shiva Thapa counter-attacked an aggressive Dinesh Shrestha of Nepal and was adjudged 3-0 winner.
Semifinal Line-up:
Men: 49kg: Sharifi Farhad (AFG) vs Mohib Ulla (PAK), L Devendro Singh (IND) vs Thiwanka Ranasinghe (SL); 52kg: Mohammad Syed Asif (PAK) vs Ishan Sanjeewa Bandara (SL), Nazari Mohammad Arif (AFG) vs Madan Lal (IND); 56kg: NK Shukrollah (AFG) vs Niamath Ulla (PAK), Mohammad Ohiduzzaman (BAN) vs Shiva Thapa (IND); 60kg: Gayan Sanjeeva (SL) vs Ahmed Ali (PAK), Dheeraj (IND) vs Nooristani Khibar (AFG); 64kg: Manoj Kumar (IND) vs Tshering Wangchuk (BHU); Deepak Shrestha (NEP) vs Dinidu Saparamadu (SL); 69kg: Rahemi Alla Dad (AFG) vs Rahim Mohammad Abdur (BAN); Ruwangala Gedra Sisira (SL) vs Mandeep Jangra (IND); 75kg: Folad S Wali Shah Ali (AFG) vs Vikas Krishan (IND), Tashi Norbu (BHU) vs Ahmed Tanveer (PAK).

Women: 51kg: MC Mary Kom (IND) vs Akter Shamina (BAN), Gurung Minu (NEP) vs K Anusha Dilrukshi (SL); 60kg: M Vidushika Prabadhi (SL) vs Perveen Ruksana (PAL), Sarita Devi (IND) vs Rana Saraswati (NEP); 75kg: Andaraweer Nilanthi (SL) vs Khandokr Basona (BAN), Javed Sofiya (PAK) vs Pooja Rani (IND).