SPO-KHELO-BOXING

Maharashtra's Mitika Gunele, Raj

Sahiba of Haryana and Manipur's Babyrojisana Chanu justified

their international reputation by comfortably entering into

the semi-finals of their weight categories in the girls under-

17 boxing at the Khelo India Youth Games here Wednesday.

Mitika got the better of Haryana's Anu Rani 4-1 in

welter (66kg) category, while Sahiba defeated Haryana's Divya

after referee stopped the bout in 2nd round.

In the same category, Babyrojisana Chanu, a student of

legendary Mary Kom, booked her place in the last four, a media

release said.

Among under-17 boys, Pune's Akash Gorkha confirmed his

medal by entering into last-four in the feather (57kg)

category.

Akash Gorkha's father Ramesh works as a watchman.

Under the watchful eyes of coach Umesh Jagdale, Akash

Gorkha excelled in the sport quickly and started performing at

the state and national level tournaments.

He also won a silver medal in the 7th Asian Cup in

Serbia.

Aakash Gorkha, who is currently training with the Army

Sports Institute, Pune, feels the training under Army coaches

is too intense and surely played a role in his performance in

the Khelo India.

"I don't have to worry about anything. We just put

ourselves best during the training and during the bouts.

Thats what we have been told and I am following the same,"

the young boxer was quoted as saying in the release.