India were assured of a medal without even landing a punch as Paramjeet Samota got a bye into the super heavyweight (+91kg) category, while Jai Bhagwan didn't have to slog too hard either before advancing to the lightweight (60kg) quarter-finals on the opening day of the fifth Commonwealth Boxing Championships in Delhi on Friday.
However, there was disappointment as well for the hosts as Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh's 19-year-old cousin Balwinder Beniwal crashed out with an opening round loss in the light-welterweight (64kg) category.
Samota, a two-time national champion, is one of the four boxers who made the main draw of super-heavy category and it would be another couple of days before he fights, taking on Scot Ross Henderson in the semi-finals.
Jai and Balwinder were the Indians who took the ring and it turned out to be a day of contrasting fortunes.
Jai, an Asian Championship silver-medallist and also a former national champion, clinched it 16-0 against Botswanian opponent, Oratile Segokgo, thanks to an aggressive approach.
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