CWG 2018: Gaurav, Vikas & Manish Advance to Boxing Semis

Manish beat England European Championships bronze-medallist Callum Frencch to move into the semi-finals.

Gaurav Solanki beat Papua New Guinea’s Charles Keama in his quarterfinal bout.

(Photo: PTI)

Debutant duo of Gaurav Solanki (52 kg) and Manish Kaushik (60 kg), world bronze-medallist Vikas made the semi-finals on Wednesday at the 21st Commonwealth Games in Brisbane to be assured of medals

This takes the total number of male boxers in medal rounds to eight, a 100 per cent success rate in the event and one more in numbers compared to their best ever show at 2010 CWG in New Delhi.

Army boxer Solanki dodged a tricky opponent in Papua New Guinea’s Charles Keama in his quarterfinal bout.

The 21-year-old managed to evade several attempts at head-butts by his rival in a bout he eventually claimed 5-0.

It was a risky fight. He was trying to hit me but I think my reflexes were very sharp so I managed to outwit him.

Gaurav Solanki

Joining him in the semifinals was Vikas, a former Asian Games gold-medallist, with a power-packed performance against Zambia's Benny Muziyo. Vikas, who claimed a gold at the Srandja Memorial, pummelled his rival with sharp right hooks.

The Zambian looked dazed due to the ferocity of the blows he took on his face, made more severe by his poor defence.

In the evening session, the fast-rising Manish out-witted England European Championships bronze-medallist Callum Frencch to move into the semi-finals and be assured of an medal.

He will be up against Northern Ireland's James McGivern in his semi-final clash on Saturday after a rest day on Friday.

However, last edition's bronze-medallist Pinki Jangra (51kg) will be without a medal this time after losing to England's Lisa Whiteside in her quarterfinal bout.