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Three Indian boxers are a bout away from Beijing
Vijender beat Mongolian Nandin Munguntsooi 23-10 while Jitender got the better of Chinese Gao Linzhi 11-7. Manoj trounced Tajik Djuraev Hurshed 14-2.
Three Indian boxers are on course for an Olympic berth as they reached the semi-finals of the Asian qualifiers in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Thursday.
Doha Asiad bronze medallist Vijender (75kg), Jitender Kumar (51kg) and Manoj Kumar (64kg) beat their opponents to make the last four and they are just a bout away from qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.
In all six Indians have entered the semi-finals.
Vijender beat Mongolian Nandin Munguntsooi 23-10 while Jitender got the better of Chinese Gao Linzhi 11-7. Manoj trounced Tajik Djuraev Hurshed 14-2.
The three boxers will only have to enter the finals here to qualify for the Beijing Games.
After a rest-day Friday, Jitender will take on Kazakhstan's Sarsembayev Mirat, while Vijender will face Iranian Amiri Homayon. Manoj will be up against Kyrgyzstan's Madaminov Akmatali.
The other three Indians, who have advanced to the semifinals are Dinesh Kumar (81kg), Dilbag Singh (69kg) and Praveen Kumar (+91kg).
Dilbag and Praveen are yet to enter the ring as they got first-round byes. The duo can qualify only by becoming champions in their categories.
