LALITPUR, Dec 7: Sushil Thapa Magar, Sanil Shahi and Bhupendra Thapa advanced into the semifinals of the boxing competition at the 13th South Asian Games on Friday.

At the Karate Academy in Satdobato, Magar beat Sajeewa Nuwan Kumara Mutunaka of Srilanka in men’s 49 kg light flyweight category, Shahi defeated Nima Dorji of Bhutan in men’s light 60 kg weight category and Thapa beat Wangdi Dorji of Bhutan in men’s lighter welter 64 kg weight category to book their semifinal spots.

Magar will face Vinod Tanwar of India, who advanced after he got a bye, in the semis on Saturday. In the same weight category (49kg), Sojib Hossain Md also advanced beating Pakistan’s Md Dawood Khan to set a semifinal clash with Bhutan’s Wangdi Tashi, who advanced on bye.

Shahi will battle against Sri Lanka’s Jeewantha Nisshanka in the semis on Sunday. Nisshanka advanced via bye.

Similarly, in the same weight category (60 kg), Bangladesh’s Sura Krishna Chamka and India’s Varinder Singh will meet in the semis. Both had advanced through the bye. Thapa will face Md Al Amin, who progressed via bye, in the semis. India’s Manish Kaushik also secured the semifinal clash against Dinindu Du Ponnawila of Sri Lanka, who also advanced via bye, beating Pakistan’s Suleman Baloch in 64 kg weight category.

Unfortunate Shrestha
But it was an unlucky day for Deepak Shrestha as he lost against India’s Ankit Khatana in middle weight 75 kg weight category, despite dominating the match. Shrestha was inches away from the win when Khatana was awarded a knockout in the final minutes of the final round.
Shrestha fell to the canvas but was unable to properly stand on his feet even if he tried to collect quick strength and the referee awarded Khatana a KO victory.

In the other quarterfinal bouts of the day one, Pakistan’s Gul Zaib beat Sri Lanka’s Niel Madushanka Hetti and India’s Krishan Vikas beat Bhutan’s Tshering Dorji in men’s welter 69 kg weight category. In men’s fly 52 kg weight category, Pakistan’s Syed Md Asif defeated Bangladesh’s Ariful Islam Md to reach the semis.

Also, Robin Mia Md of Bangladesh and Pakistan’s Naqeebullah were victorious in bantam 56 kg weight category against Kinley Wangyel of Bhutan and Udagedara Nuwan Amarawansha of Sri Lanka respectively.  In women’s bout, India’s Kalaivai Srinivasan beat Pakistan’s Rabia Batool in light fly 48 kg weight category and India’s Sonia Lather saw off Bangladesh’s Shamima Akter in feather 57 kg weight 
category.

 
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