CWG: Boxer Gaurav enters flyweight semis

Indian youngster Gaurav Solanki entered the semi-finals of the men’s flyweight (52 kilogram) category of the boxing competition at the 21st Commonwealth Games (CWG) here on Wednesday.

Gaurav came up with an impressive performance against three-time Oceania champion Charles Keama of Papua New Guinea to claim a well-deserved, unanimous 5:0 verdict.

Gaurav thus confirmed another medal to the Indian tally as every boxer in the last-four stage is assured of a spot on the podium.

Gaurav will fight Vidanalange Ishan Bandara of Sri Lanka in the semi-finals. Bandara outclassed Thabo Molefe of Lesotho 4:1 in another quarter-final on Wednesday.

Up against the vastly more experienced Keama in Wednesday’s quarter-final, Gaurav delivered a composed, technically superior performance.

The Indian youngster had a lot of power in his punches and used his reflexes and a high guard to thwart his experienced south paw opponent from Papua New Guinea.

Gaurav landed more scoring punches in a frenetic opening period, thus taking the early advantage.

The second round followed a similar script with Gaurav penetrating Keama’s defence with powerful jabs on several occassions.

Keama came out swinging in the third and last period in an effort to reduce the gap, but Gaurav did well to retaliate in an effective manner and take a well-deserved victory.