Indian boxer Vikas Krishan (69kg) was out-punched 0-5 and left with a bloodied eye by local favourite Sewonrets Quincy Mensah Okazawa in his opening bout of the Olympic Games on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Krishan sustained a cut below his left eye in the high-voltage clash, which, according to team sources, he competed in with a shoulder niggle. He was the only Indian boxer in action on the day.
Okazawa dominated from start to finish, controlling the bout with smart tactical play against the two-time Olympian Indian.
The 25-year-old Okazawa is of Ghanaian descent and was a silver-medallist at the 2019 Asian Championships and a quarter-finalist at the World Championships the same year.
He will next face Cuba’s third-seeded Roniel Iglesias in the round of 16. Iglesias is the 2012 Olympic gold-medallist and also a former world champion.
On Sunday, six-time world champion MC Mary Kom (51kg) and Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Manish Kaushik will compete in their opening bouts.
Inputs from PTI
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!