Boxam International: Manish Kaushik strikes gold; unlucky Simranjit Kaur among five silver medallists

New Delhi: Tokyo Olympics-bound Indian boxer Manish Kaushik (63kg) struck gold in his first competitive outing in a year even as five others signed off with silver medals in the 35th Boxam International Tournament in Castellon, Spain. Manish defeated Denmark’s Nikolai Terteryan in a split decision However, Mohammed Hussamuddin (57kg) and Vikas Krishan (69kg) ended with silver medals among men. Hussamuddin gave a walkover to Jean Paul Rivera of Puerto Rico, which was struck by a positive COVID-19 case. The reasons for the Indian’s pullout were not immediately not known. Vikas Krishan (69kg), however, lost a gruelling final to Spain’s Youba Sissokho, a bout in which the Indian was left with a cut above his right eye. Among women, Simranjit Kaur (60kg), Pooja Rani (75kg) and Jasmine (57kg) ended with silver medals among women. World bronze-medallist Simranjit could not take the ring against Rashida Ellis of USA after her semi-final opponent — Kiria Tapia of Puerto Rico — tested positive for COVID-19, thereby forcing the organisers to stop the Indian from competing despite her returning a negative test. “Because of local government regulations, she could not compete,” Indian women’s boxing’s high performance director Rafaelle Bergamasco told PTI.