Indians off to mixed start at Youth Boxing World C'ships

Asian silver-medallist Ashish (64kg) was through to the second round but Srinivas (69kg) was ousted following an opening-round defeat as India's campaign at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships got off to a mixed start in St Pteresburg, Russia on Friday.

Ashish scored a comfortable unanimous victory over Armenia’s Toni Galstyan, but Srinivas went down to Frenchman Milan Prat in his lung-opener.

Later Friday, Reyal Puri (81kg) is pitted against Azerbaijan’s Elkhan Aliyev in his opening contest.

The mega-event for 16 to 18-year-olds features a formidable field of 417 boxers from 75 countries.

On Saturday, Sachin (49kg) will open his campaign against the winner of the clash between Korean Seongchan Baek and Mexico’s Gustavo Antonio Alvarez.

Among others, reigning national champion Anwar (52kg) will face England's Akash Tuqir. Mohammed Etash Khan (56kg) will be up against the winner of the bout between Cuban Alexei Romero Rodriguez and Egypt's Elsayed Ragab Oman.

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