Ulaanbaatar Cup: Ankush Dahiya claims gold medal in 60 kg weight category, L Devendro Singh settles for silver in Mongolia

Indian boxer Ankush Dahiya has shown tremendous form to defeat Korean Man Choe Chol and clinch the gold medal in 60 kg weight category in the Ulaanbaatar Cup boxing tournament in Mongolia. This was 19-year-old Ankush's second international tournament since making the transition from youth to elite level late last year.

On the other hand, the highly experienced L Devendro Singh (52kg) settled for a silver medal.      

Ankush, who is a former Asian youth silver-medallist, defeated Man Choe Chol in a split verdict, while Devendro lost to Indonesia's Aldoms Suguro, again a split decision.     

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India thus signed off with a gold, a silver and three bronze medals from the tournament. K Shyam Kumar (49kg), bronzemedalsMohammed Hussamuddin (56kg) and Priyanka Chaudhary (60kg) lost their respective semifinal bouts to bronze medals on Saturday.     

Bhut- Bhut Subhkamnaye #Indian boxer #AnkushDahiya wins gold medal in 60 kg weight category.#UlaanbaatarCup pic.twitter.com/jMOSI0pzRs

— SANGRAM U SINGH (@Sangram_Sanjeet) June 25, 2017

Devendro, a Commonwealth Games silver-medallist besides a former Asian Championships silver-winner, was the first to step inside the ring for India on Sunday and was his usual aggressive self against Suguro.     

Many Congratulations to Ankush Dahiya for winning #gold in 60kg category at the Ulaanbaatar Cup in Mongolia. pic.twitter.com/7JDKWktVRF

— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) June 25, 2017

The diminutive Manipuri, who is getting back to form after recovering from some niggles, exhausted his rival with a fine display of tempo-boxing, not letting the intensity slip even once.     

Many Congratulations to Ankush Dahiya for winning #gold in 60 kg category at the Ulaanbaatar Cup in Mongolia. pic.twitter.com/chKXaHwGEm

— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) June 25, 2017

Denied a clear shot due to Suguro's shell guard, Devendrodid well to connect fine body blows. However, much to the Indian camp's disappointment, Devendro's overall dominance did not find favour with the judges who ruled 3-2 in Suguro's favour. 

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However, the disappointment soon made way for celebration when Ankush edged past Man Choe Chol. The youngster put his long reach and height advantage togood use and landed some lusty straight blows, which swung the contest in his favour. This is Ankush's maiden international medal at the senior level. 

With PTI inputs