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Mixed start to Indian campaign at 2nd Asian Olympic qualifiers
Singh out-scored Indonesian Akasa Rambing in the 60kg category to set up a clash with Turkmenistan's Hudaybereiev Serdar in the second round.
Indian campaign at the second Asian Olympic Boxing Qualifiers got off to a mixed start with KTT Singh advancing to the second round but Sanjay Kolte crashing out on the first day of the tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Singh out-scored Indonesian Akasa Rambing in the 60kg category to set up a clash with Turkmenistan's Hudaybereiev Serdar in the second round.
Singh was leading 23-3 when the referee stopped the contest in the third round of the bout today.
However, it was curtains for Kolte as the light fly weight pugilist was sent packing by Tajikistan's Sherali Dostiyev in the first round.
Kolte lost 9-25 in a lopsided bout to crash out of the tournament which is the last chance for the boxers from the Asian region to book a berth for Beijing.
As many as 19 Olympic quota places are up for grabs in the tournament but only a gold or silver finish would ensure a ticket to Beijing.
Tomorrow, Jitender Kumar (51kg), will take on former world championship bronze medallist, Pakistan's Noman Karim in the opening round.
Other prominent Indian contenders in the event include Doha Asiad Bronze medallist ad reigning national champion Vijender (75kg) and Dilbag Singh (69kg), also a current national champion.
