GOLD COAST, April 3: The celebrated MC Mary Kom needs to win just one bout to secure herself a medal, while Vikas Krishan got a bye into the men�s pre-quarterfinals as Indian boxers were handed reasonably good draws in the Commonwealth Games here today.
With their team doctor Amol Patil let off with a reprimand in the needle controversy, the boxers heaved a sigh of relief and focus was back on the sport.
Mary Kom has been pitted against Scotland�s Megan Gordon in the quarterfinals of the 48kg category, which will take place on April 8. Competing in her first and last Commonwealth Games, the 35-year-old is the favourite to claim the gold in a draw which features only eight boxers.
Vikas (75kg), on the other hand, has made it to last-16 because of a bye along with debutant Manish Kaushik (60kg). Vikas has come into this tournament after claiming a gold medal at the prestigious Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria. Former Asian Games bronze-medallist Satish Kumar (+91kg) has also got a bye but owing to the small size of his draw, he has reached the quarterfinals.
Glasgow CWG bronze-medallist Pinki Jangra (51kg) is another one in the quarterfinals and will be up against England�s Lisa Whiteside on April 11. India Open gold-medallist Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) was the only Indian woman boxer to get a first-round bye into the quarters, where she will square off against England�s Sandy Ryan.
The youngest member of the men�s team, 19-year-old Naman Tanwar (91kg) has Tanzania�s Haruna Mhando to contend with in his opening bout on April 6. � PTI
