Sport

Thokchom Nanao bags boxing gold

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

CLOSE CALL: Balwinder Beniwal of India won his 69kg bout on individual count.

PUNE: Thokchom Nanao Singh, greeted by a packed crowd, led the parade of champions by outpointing Zack Davies for the 48 kg boxing title, in the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

Teammate Satyender disappointed the home fans in the eighth and last final (75 kg), losing 0-5 to Canadian Stuart Twardzik. India won three titles, sharing the honours with England (three). Wales and Canada picked a gold each.

Sunil Sadhu (51kg), V. Durga Rao (54kg) and Neeraj Goyal (60kg) were the bronze medal winners.

The boxing competition saw skill and sportsmanship of the highest order. Shanthosh Virothu showcased his skill, landing punches at will on Jonkir Alexander for a 16-4 points verdict in 64kg final.

Benjamin Shamoon’s grace in defeat against Balwinder Beniwal in 75kg bout after scores were tied at 2-2 was worth applauding. The Canadian lifted the Indian in the ring when the verdict went against him on individual count.

Benjamin explained afterwards: “It was such a close bout. I was happy for him. The silver on my chest is equal to a gold,” said the Canadian about the welterweight bout where he came back from 1-2 to draw level at 2-2 when the bell clanged to announce the end of round four.

The crowd waited in silence for the outcome, the ring official raised Balwinder’s hand after the scores of five ring judges had been analysed.

Both boxers failed to score any point in round one, probing for an opening, Benjamin got the first point, Balwinder drew level in round two.

With scores locked at 1-1 after three rounds, the fourth round brought some cheer to the home crowd as the Indian lashed a left hook, then the Canadian connected for 2-2. “I am relived to have won such a close bout. He was a worthy rival,” said the Indian middleweight gold medallist.

Daniel Chapman (Wales), John Quingley, Iain Weaver, Daniel Phillips (all Eng) were the other winners.

Final results: 48 kg (lightfly): Thokchom Nanao Singh (Ind) bt Zack Davies (Wal) on pts 25-10. 51kg (fly): Daniel Chapman (Wal) bt James Dickens (Eng) on pts 8-7. 54kg (bantam): John Quigley (Eng) bt Clevon Rock (Guy) 12-1. 57kg (feather): Iain Weaver (Eng) bt Ibrahim Balla (Aus) on pts 16-1; 60kg (light): Daniel Phillips (Eng) bt Sean Duffy (Ire) on pts 21-7; 64 kg (lightwelter): Shanthosh Virothu (Ind) bt Jonker Alexander (SA) on pts 16-4. 69kg (welter): Balwinder Beniwal (Ind) bt Benjamin Alexander (Can) on individual scores, bout score 2-2. 75kg (middle): Stuart Twardzik (Can) bt S. Satinder (Ind) on pts 5-0.

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