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Boxers Mary, Vikas shine at CWG (Boxing Roundup)
Gold Coast (Australia), April 8 (IANS) Veteran star M.C. Mary Kom and World Championship bronze medallist Vikas Krishan kept the Indian flying high in their respective categories of the boxing competition at the 21st Commonwealth Games (CWG) here on Sunday.
Mary Kom entered the semi-finals of the women’s 48 kilogram boxing competition at the 21st Commonwealth Games with a convincing victory over Megan Gordon of Scotland here on Sunday.
The five-time world champion dominated her 18-year-old opponent throughout the one-sided quarter-final to claim a unanimous 5-0 verdict at the Oxenford Boxing studios.
Her entry into the last four stage confirms a bronze medal for Mary Kom.
Although she has several world titles and an Olympic bronze in her trophy cabinet, Mary was yet to win a medal at the CWG until this year’s edition.
Vikas meanwhile, entered the quarter-finals of the men’s middleweight (75 kilogram) category with a hard fought victory over Campbell Somerville of Australia.
Mary Kom started slowly, taking her time to gauge her opponent, although she did land a couple of solid blows.
The Manipuri legend landed a flurry of punches in the closing seconds of the opening round to force her opponent on to the ropes.
Mary upped the ante in the second round, picking up the pace as she peppered Megan with powerful blows.
The third and last round followed a similar script with Mary pummelling her opponent with quick combinations.
Megan fought bravely as she absorbed the punches and tried to hit back on the counter, but she was no match for the veteran Indian.
Later in the day, Vikas had to fight hard before quelling a tough challenge by the technically strong Somerville.
Vikas dominated the opening round before the Australian tried to make a strong comeback in the next two.
The Indian however, did well to effectively counter his opponent and clinch a unanimous 5-0 verdict.
The comfortable final scoreline is misleading as Vikas had to fight off a strong challenge from the 26-year-old Australian.
Vikas was clearly the more powerful puncher and rattled the Australian throughout the opening round with strong blows.
The World Championships bronze medallist penetrated the Australian’ defence on several occasions and also shook him with power-packed punches to the body.
Somerville did better in the second round, increasing the pace and using his superior height to force Vikas on to the back foot on several occasions.
The third round followed a similar script with a visibly tiring Vikas struggling to beat his opponent’s defence even as he sustained quite a few blows to his face and body.
The closing stages of the contest saw both boxers go all out, raining punches in an effort to force the advantage.
It was a tight affair for Vikas and the favourable decision from the referees after the bout must have come as a relief for him.
But there was disappointment in store for Indian fans in the women’s 69 kilogram category as Lovlina Borgohain crashed out of the competition.
The upcoming youngster produced a brave fight before going down to England’s Sandy Ryan by split decision in their quarter-final bout.
Three of the five judges voted in Ryan’s favour while two voted for Lovlina.
This was the first appearance of the Assam boxer at the CWG.
–IANS
ajb/
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.