India crowned champions at President's Cup Boxing Tournament

NEW DELHI: Rakesh Kumar (69kg) and Harpal Singh (75kg) struck gold as India were crowned champions for the first time in the 22nd President's Cup Boxing Tournament in Palembang, Indonesia.

The Indian team logged 33 points to finish ahead of second-placed Mongolia after Rakesh and Harpal's gold medals took the country's total tally to four gold and a bronze at the end of the event.

Their golden effort came after Shamjetsabam Sarjubala (48kg) and Pinki Jangra (51kg) clinched the yellow metal in the women's competition of the tournament.

While Harpal defeated Korea's Jee Deok-Seong, Rakesh got the better of Japan's Hiroaki Kinjo in the men's summit clashes.

Manish Kumar (60kg) settled for a bronze medal after losing to Mongolia's Dorjnyambuu Otgondalai in the semifinals.

"This is for the first time that we have become champions at this tournament, which goes to show the progress that Indian boxing has been making. It is a brilliant performance but we hope to keep improving," national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu said lauding the team's performance.

More than 130 boxers from 30 countries participated in the tournament.