In the super heavy weight division, however, rookie boxer Kanwar Preet Singh (+91kg), playing his first international tournament, displayed admirable talent as he beat Demmene Nadir of Algeria 11:4 on points to make it to the semifinals and assure herself of a bronze in the tournament.
Vikas (69kg) made a strong start with some precise attacking punches and took a one point lead after the opening three minutes of play. But the Kazakh boxer made a strong recovery in the second, taking three points as opposed to the Indian's one point.
The 20-year-old Vikas, the Asian Games gold medallist, tried hard to get back in the final round, but Bakhitjan managed to hold on to the advantage and win on points 9:7.
In the same weight category, bronze medal winner at the Senior Nationals last year, Lakhbir Singh (69kg) also suffered a similar fate against silver medal winner at the 2011 World Boxing Championships and 2010 Asian Games gold medallist Serik Sapiyev of Kazakhstan.
Lakhbir was completely out of sorts against the superior tactics and skill of Sapiyev, a former world champion. The Indian was down 2:7 in the second round when the referee stopped the contest and handed victory to the Kazakh.
But, there was good news for India in super heavy weight division. Rookie boxer Kanwar Preet Singh (+91kg), playing his first international tournament, displayed admirable talent to beat Demmene Nadir of Algeria. MORE