India [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] on Friday.

However, there was disappointment as well for the hosts as Olympic [ Images ] and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh's [ Images ] 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.