Pugilists return with four medals from Turkey

Indian pugilists put up a commendable show against tough competition from countries like Cuba and Russia to bag a silver and four bronze medals at the Ahmat Comert Cup International Boxing Championship, held from May 8 to 14, in Istanbul, Turkey.

While the men's team -- fielded for the first time in the event -- clinched two bronze, the women proved one better, returning with a silver and two bronze.

Olympian Diwakar Prasad (57kg) and Sanjay Kolte (48kg) bagged bronze medals in a high class field of 19 other teams, including the likes of Cuba, Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Mandakini Chanu was the star for the women's team, bagging a silver in the 48kg category after a close final.

"I beat the European champion en route to the final, which was a very even contest. I lost narrowly but I am happy with my performance, because I was competing for the first time in this tournament," Chanu said.

The other medallists from the women's team were Renu and Aswathi Mol, who claimed bronze in the 75kg and 70kg categories respectively.

"Since it is an invitational event, we thought the competition would be manageable but we were surprised to see that all the 19 teams had fielded their best. But, overall, I am very happy with my bronze medal performance," Diwakar said.

"Ours was a mixed team comprising first-timers as well as experienced boxers and I am very pleased with their performance," women's chief coach Mahavir Singh said.