India began their campaign in Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai on a promising note as Mohammad Hussamuddin and Shiva Thapa advanced to quarter-finals in their respective weight categories.
While Hussamuddin defeated Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan 5-0 in men’s 56 kg category, Thapa beat Dmitrii Puchin of Kazakhstan 5-0 in 64 kg. Thapa will face Nader Odah of Kuwait in quarter-finals today.
Hussamuddin, the Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist made a cautious start against the Kazakh boxer but consistency enabled him to win 5-0 and move into the last-eight stage of the continental competition. He will next face reigning world champion Mirazizbek Mirzabalilov of Uzbekistan.
In women’s section, India’s world championship bronze-medallist Simranjit Kaur and three other Indian pugilists are directly seeded in quarter-finals. Olympic-bound boxer Simranjit will square up against Uzbekistan’s Raykhona Kodirova in women’s 60kg quarter-final bout while Sakshi will take on Ruhafzo Haqazarova of Tajikistan in 54 kg.
