the goan I network
PANAJI
Goa's Santosh Harijan won a silver in the 56 kg bantam weight category at the Elite Men's Boxing Nationals in Visakhapatnam.
The Goan boxer went down fighting 3-2 in his final against Madan Lal of Services. Santosh put up a brilliant fight throughout the three rounds. Speaking after his bout Santosh said, "I'm happy with my performance. This silver is a gold for me as I know how I fought in the ring. But I won't give up."
The crowds cheered and gave him a rousing applause as he stepped down from the ring surprised yet calm. His coach Nilesh Khanolkar said,"Santosh boxed well and we were sure that he had won. He confused his opponent throughout with whom he has played against three times in the past and lost. This time, Santosh gave him a
very tough fight."
Santosh is now assured of a berth in the Elite Men's National Camp after having taken a break from boxing for a year due to injury.
In the previous Nationals, he had won a silver (2009) and bronze (2010, 2012). He is also a National Games silver medallist (2007
and 2011).
He now hopes to represent India at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games to be held in Gold Coast, Australia in April this year and subsequent international tournaments.
Meanwhile, Manoj Kumar claimed his second successive National Championships' gold but Shiva Thapa settled for a silver on an eventful day of summit clashes in the premier domestic boxing event on Monday.
Manoj (69kg), competing for the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), got the better of Services Sports Control Board's (SSCB) Duryodhan Singh for his second successive gold at the event in a 4-1 decision.
Another defending champion, Shiva, however, lost on a split verdict to SSCB's Manish Kaushik, settling for the silver medal in the lightweight (60kg) category.
