Two Indians pugilists score

Jai Bhagwan and Vijender scored convincing wins to storm in to the second round on a day of mixed luck for Indians at the 23rd Asian Boxing Championships at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

While Bhagwan out-pointed his Sri Lankan opponent 23-20 to advance, Vijender launched a ferocious assault on his Vietnamese rival, forcing the referee to stop the welterweight contest in the second round.

However, two other Indians tasted defeat on the opening day of the championship, where 145 pugilists from 22 countries are taking part.

In the light-flyweight class, Balbir Singh went down to an Uzbek opponent while A L Lakra crashed out in the first round in the featherweight category, losing to a Mongolian.

Lakra and Vijender were the only two seniors in the eight-member Indian team.