Akhil Kumar reaches quarter-finals

Boxer Akhil Kumar pulled off a major upset by stunning world champion Sergey Vodopyanov of Russia in the 54kg pre-quarterfinal bout at the Beijing Olympics.

BEIJING: Boxer Akhil Kumar pulled off a major upset by stunning world champion Sergey Vodopyanov of Russia in the 54kg pre-quarterfinal bout at the Beijing Olympics.

The fiercely fought match was awarded to the Haryana pugilist by the judges on points after the scores were level 9-9 at the end of four rounds.

The 27-year-old Indian trailed almost till the final moments but staged a remarkable turnaround through a wonderful display of aggression, accuracy and technique in the penultimate and final rounds.

After being down 1-2 in the first round, 3-4 in the second and 7-8 in the third, Akhil held his nerves and unleashed a flurry of straight punches, two of them bang on target.

The five-judge jury then decided in favour of the Indian, leaving a stunned World Champion in tears.

Akhil will play his quarter-final match on Monday.
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