Jai Bhagwan kept India's medal hopes alive as he cruised into the semi-finals in the lightweight category while Vijender [Images] was unlucky to go down in the welterweight class in the 23rd Asian Boxing Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Jai Bhagwan defeated Genbert Besadre of the Philippines, the referee stopping the contest after the latter was hurt in the second round contest.

Bhagwan is the only Indian left in contention and will take on Noraldin Chegini of Iran in the semi-finals.

Vijender fought a neck and neck bout against Reza Ghazzimi of Iran but eventually lost 20-22.

Vijender thwarted his opponent in the first two rounds but went down by just a point in the third. He lost the fourth too by a whisker and thus made an early exit.

Another Indian, Mahendar Thapa lost to Makransov Constantine of Kazakhstan in the light-heavy class.