The Indian boxers’ campaign in the Asian Olympic qualifiers was off to a disappointing start with all three in action on Saturday, including former Commonwealth Games champion Manoj Kumar (64kg), bowing out with opening round losses here.
Manoj, a former Asian bronze-medallist, went down to Kazakhstan’s Zhussupov Ablaikhan.
Among other Indians, Sumit Sangwan (81kg), who was coming back after a lenghty injury lay-off, lost to Korea’s Heeguan Yang.
In the women’s qualifiers being held simultaneously, Asian Games bronze-medallist Pooja Rani (75kg) was beaten by Tajikistan’s Shoira Zulkaynarova to round off a poor opening day for the country’s pugilists.
Five Indians will be in action on Sunday, including the celebrated M.C. Mary Kom, who has got top seeding in the 51kg category. The five-time world champion and London Olympics bronze medallist will open against Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay. Former Asian champion L. Sarita Devi (60kg) will face Japan’s Tomoko Kugimiya. Among men, Asian Champio-nships silver-medallist Vikas Krishan (75kg), seeded fourth, will fight it out with local favourite Zhao Minggang.
