Indian boxer Vikas Krishan suffers first-round exit at Tokyo Olympics
India’s seasoned boxer Vikas Krishan Yadav lost to local favourite Quincy Okazawa by unanimous decision in the men’s welterweight category.
Vikas Krishan’s dream of winning an Olympic medal in the men’s welterweight (69kg) category ended early on Saturday. The Indian boxer lost to world No. 6 and local favourite Sewonrets Okazawa 5-0 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena.
Vikas, a three-time Olympian, was unable to make an impression in the opening round as Okazawa dominated from the start by landing some long-range punches. Okazawa, 25, will now take on two-time Olympic medallist and world No. 2 Roniel Iglesias from Cuba in round of 16 on Tuesday.
Incidentally, Vikas Krishan had made the cut for Tokyo 2020 last year in March after beating Okazawa in the Olympic boxing qualifiers in Amman, Jordan.
The 29-year-old Vikas Krishan started on a more cautious note in the second round but the Indian boxer failed to up his game. A strong jab from the Japanese boxer left Vikas with a cut above the eye that needed medical attention.
Okazawa, a silver medallist at the 2019 Asian championships, looked solid and was often on the attack. Vikas landed some good punches using his reach to good effect but Okazawa countered close range, letting through a flurry of punches up close.
However, Vikas was not able to connect often while Okazawa’s measured hooks and jabs tilted the match in the Japanese boxer’s favour.
On Sunday, six-time world champion and London Olympics bronze medallist MC Mary Kom will take the ring against Dominica’s Miguelina Hernandez in the women’s flyweight (51kg) category.
Sixth seed Manish Kaushik, meanwhile, will take on Britain’s Luke McCormack in the men's lightweight (63kg) round of 32.
All matches are knockout rounds and boxing events at the Tokyo Olympics conclude on August 8.