New Delhi: Boxer MC Mary Kom (51kg) returning to action after a hiatus of one year got a bye into the quarterfinals as India got off to a good start at the Ulaanbaatar Cup boxing tournament with two wins on the opening day in Ulaanbaatar, Wednesday.
Mary Kom will next face Thursday the winner of the bout between Russia’s Anna Aedma and Korea’s Chol Mi Bang.
Meanwhile in other bouts Strandja Memorial tournament silver medallist Mohamed Hussamuddin (56kg) and King’s Cup bronze medallist Rohit Tokas (64kg) were among the winners in the men’s draw.
Hussamuddin defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Almanbet Alibekov to enter the last eight stage while Rohit overcame Russia’s Dorjo Dakhaev to also enter the quarterfinals. However, Jaideep (75kg) bowed out after losing his opening bout to China’s Zhan Chao Feng.
Among other boxers, L Devendro Singh (52kg), K Shyam Kumar (49kg) and Ankush Dahiya (64kg) also advanced to the quarters after getting first round byes.
In the women’s draw, Priyanka Chaudhary (60kg) will square off against Mongolia’s Bolortuul Tumurkhuyag, while Kalawanti (75kg) will fight it out with China’s Huo Run Hui in their opening bouts Thursday.
