Boxing: Vijender powers his way to pre quarters

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India's top pugilist Vijender Singh, touted as a serious medal contender, kept his reputation intact as he cruised into the pre-quarter finals of the boxing event in the Olympics with a comfortable win over Kazakhstan's Danabek Sukhanov here.

The 27-year-old Vijender, a bronze medallist in the Beijing Games four years ago, was a trifle cautious in the first round as he did not go for the attacking mode, preferring to gauge his opponent's strategy but opened up subsequently to carve out a comfortable 14-10 verdict.

The Haryana boxer was tactically superior than his opponent and also put his reach to good use to keep himself on course for a second Olympic medal. Although he was generally defensive in the first round, Vijender did unleash a few of punches to take the honours with a 5-4 margin.

Vijender, who also won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Championship, had a decisive edge in the first round. He put up a more dominating show in the second round which he took with a 4-3 verdict and consolidated his position in the third and final round to eventually emerge victorious without really being under any serious pressure.

The Kazakh did manage to score points against the Indian but never really looked like springing off a major surprise.

Vijender will now take on Terrell Gausha of USA in the pre-quarters on August 2. Gausha got the better of Andranik Hukobyan of Armenia in the opening round with referee stopping contest.