GUWAHATI, May 23 -�Rising India pugilist Sachin Siwach (52kg) upset Commonwealth Games gold medallist Gaurav Solanki to storm into the final of the 2nd India Open International Boxing Tournament.
Local lad Shiva Thapa (60kg) and Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal (52kg) were the other gold medal hopes who faced no hassle on their way to the final.
MC Mary Kom also made it to the final with a facile 4-1 victory against her Indian opponent Nikhat Zareen. Assam girl Jamuna Boro entered the final defeating M Meenakumari 5-0. Another Assam girl Lovlina Borgohain also entered the final as her opponent Yunusova Shakhnoza from Uzbekistan did not turn up.
At the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Sarusajai here today, Sachin exuded confidence through his fiery flurry of punches against the accomplished Solanki to set up a final showdown with Panghal, who has won gold medals at the Asian Championships as well as the Strandja Cup this year.
Shiva riding on vociferous cheers of support set up a revenge match with defending 60kg champion Manish Kaushik. Thapa, who came here after a bronze from the Asian Championships, did not take much time to assert his supremacy over Poland�s D Krystian Sczepanski in his 5-0 demolition. Kaushik, meanwhile, thumped Ankit 5-0 in his semifinal.
�My opponent was getting tired so I tried to put some false punches to make him more tired. I am glad the strategy worked,� said Thapa after his victory.
Former World Championships bronze medallist Gaurav Bidhuri was a big Indian hope to lose out on a place in the final. Bidhuri was beaten 0-5 by Thailand�s former Asian champion Chatchai Decha Butdee and had to settle for the bronze.
Asian Championships silver medallist Deepak (49kg) did not even have to enter the ring to confirm his final berth as he got a walkover from Philippines�s Carolo Cano Paalam. Kavinder Singh Bisht, also a silver medallist from the continental event, remained in the hunt for the 56kg gold following a tight 4-1 win over compatriot Madan Lal.
Fresh from winning his maiden medal from the Asian Championships, Ashish Kumar (75kg) will now target the gold at the India Open after edging Thailand�s Aphisit Khankhokkruea 4-1. He will meet Eumir Felix Delos Santos of Philippines who knocked out Manjeet Panghal.
