Asian Junior Boxing Championships: Gaurav Saini In Final, 3 Others In Semis

Gaurav Saini (70kg) advanced to the final while three other Indian boxers entered the last-four stage after contrasting victories in the Asian Junior Championships in Dubai.

Gaurav Saini (70kg) advanced to the final while three other Indian boxers entered the last-four stage after contrasting victories in the Asian Junior Championships in Dubai. Saini defeated Kyrgyzstan's Zakirov Mukhammadaziz 4-1 to enter the summit clash on Sunday night. The tournament is being held simultaneously for the youth and junior boxers (both men and women) for the first time. Entering the semifinals were Ashis (54kg), Anshul (57kg) and Bharat Joon (+81kg). Ashis outpunched Tajikistan's Rahmanov Jafar 5-0, while Anshul pummelled UAE's Mansoor Khaled in his quarterfinal bout which was stopped in the first round itself due to the Indian's dominance. Joon eked out a 3-2 triumph over Uzbekistan's Kenesbaev Aynazar. However, it was curtains for Krish Pal (46kg) and Preet Malik (63kg). Krish Pal was no match for Uzbekistan's Bakhtiyor Yakhshiboev, who outclassed him by the second round forcing the referee to stop the contest.