Local boxers shine at India Open

New Delhi, Jan 28: Indians began the India Open Intertiol Boxing tourment on a promising note, with five-time world champion Mary Kom and Commonwealth Games champion Manoj Kumar leading the countrys charge into the next round.

Mary Kom impressed in her bout against Varsha Choudhary in the women's light flyweight (48 kilograms) category, beating her by a unimous verdict. Varsha, however, put up a good fight despite taking a number of blows.

Mary Kom had to use all her technical nous to score the win.

Olympian Manoj overcame Kenya's Kimathi Jacob in the men's welterweight (69kg) division. The Indian began on a cautious note, trying to asses his opponent.

He landed only a few blows in the first two rounds. He opened up in the fil round, picking up all his points and winning with ease.

Among the foreign stars, the Philippines' Josie Gabuco (women's light flyweight), Finland's Marjut Potkon ( women's lightweight), Thailand's Bunjong Sinsiri (men's light welterweight) and Mongolia's Erdene Urachimeg (men's flyweight) showed their class as they stormed into the next round.

Earlier, rising Indian star Nikhat Zareen, bronze medallist at the recently held Senior Women's tiols at Rohtak, provided the first upset, beating compatriot and fourth seeded Neeraj in the women's flyweight category.

Nikhat showed more aggression and threw in a flurry of combitions to take charge of the bout. Neeraj fought back, attacking Nikhat's jaw and midriff but with lesser success than desired. IANS