Asian Games bronze-medallist L Sarita Devi (60kg) returned to competitive boxing after her one-year ban with a resounding victory in the opening contest of the training-cum-competition assignment in the city of Qian’an, China. Sarita, who served a one-year ban for her emotional outburst at the Asian Games after a controversial semifinal loss, defeated Mongolia’s Sowoderden 3-0. The Indian boxers put up a strong show on the opening day of competitions against teams from hosts China, Mongolia, Thailand and Korea.

World Championships bronze-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) beat Thailoand’s Yuttapong Thong Dee 3-0, while Commonwealth Games silver-medallist L Devendro Singh (49kg) notched up a Technical Knockout against China’s Yang Yufeng in the third round of his bout. Another Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Mandeep Jangra (69kg) thrashed Thailand’s Nick Fisher 3-0. Asian Championships silver-winner Vikas Krishan(75kg), on the other hand, got the better of another Thai Kh Mr Aphisit 3-0.

Also winning their opening bouts were Kuldeep Singh (81kg), Amritpreet Singh (91kg), Narender (+91kg). Gaurav Bidhuri (52kg), Manish Kaushik (60kg) lost their respective bouts along with Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Pinki Jangra (51kg).

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Five-time world champion ____________ settled for a bronze medal at the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) Olympic Test event in Rio De Janeiro after going down in the semifinals.