With nine pugilists in semis, Goa eyes biggest medal haul in boxing

Mapusa: Among men, Goa has as many boxers as heavyweights Services in the medal rounds, and as many as Punjab and Haryana in the women’s section.

That’s quite something for a state known to win medals at the national level but not dominate a competition like this.

Goa boxers continued with their impressive run at the National Games with all four in action making it to the medal round on Monday.

Goa now has nine boxers in the medal round. Whatever happens in the ring in Tuesday’s semifinal bouts, the hosts are assured of a record nine medals, though coach Birmole and the others haven’t lost sight of gold.

“The results so far have been good and there’s nothing to suggest that we cannot win gold,” Birmole told TOI at the end of the day’s bouts. “We had a close look at the opponents and are confident that we can now make it to the final.”

As the competition now reaches the last-four stage in the 13 weight categories, Goa’s fine run can be gauged from the sheer number of medallists who will finish on the podium. For example, in the men’s section, Goa has as many boxers as champions Services with the powerhouse only missing a podium finish in the elite men’s 92+kg super-heavy category.

Among the women, three Goa boxers have made it to the semi-finals, the same as heavyweights Haryana and Punjab.

“We’ve trained hard all through the camp and are well prepared for this competition,” said Rajat who recorded a 5-0 unanimous decision against Maharashtra’s Rahil to make it to the the 71kg light middleweight division last-four stage. “I am happy with my performance and what I did today was what the coaches wanted me to do. We had a strategy and it’s the same thing I did inside the ring.”

Rajat has now been drawn to face Priyadarshi Singh of Rajasthan. Unlike in the quarters, the Goa boxer will have to adopt a new strategy.

“My opponent is tall, so I cannot afford to stay back and box,” he explained. “There has to be a new strategy to counter his long reach.”

The day started with Roshan Zamir getting a walkover in the men’s lightweight 51kg quarterfinal after his opponent, RA Krishna Kalish (Sikkim), could not make it to the ring due to an injury.

Two-time youth world champion, Sakshi Chaudhury, was in immaculate form as she scored a comfortable victory against Isha Thakur of Himachal Pradesh. She dominated proceedings with powerful punches and her trademark jabs to force a couple of standing counts on her opponent, who had no respite during the bout that lasted just two rounds.

Among the men, Gorkha Akash registered a courageous 5-0 unanimous decision win against Andhra Pradesh’s Doni Sandeep in the 63.5kg light welter weight category.

Results: Men: Roshan Zamir (Goa) won with walk over against Kailesh Krishna (Sikkim); Akash Gorkha (Goa) bt Sandeep Doni (Andhra Pradesh); Rajat (Goa) bt MD Rahil (Maharashtra); women: Sakshi (Goa) bt Isha Thakur (Himachal Pradesh)