Akash settles for bronze

India pugilist Akash Kumar. Pic/PTI

Debutant Akash Kumar (54kg) signed off with a bronze medal in the AIBA Men's World Boxing Championships after being bested by Kazakh teenager Makhmud Sabyrkhan in the semi-finals here on Thursday.

Akash, 21, lost 0-5 to end India's campaign in the marquee competition, where Akash became only the seventh Indian male boxer to secure a medal. The Indian started superbly but Sabyrkhan got his measure in a matter of seconds, scoring primarily with his fantastic right crosses to slow down Akash after the early burst.

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The Kazakh, who is the reigning national champion of his country, was the less exuberant of the two but was clinical in his execution, not letting slip any chances at scoring off counter-attacks.

Sabyrkhan clinched the opening round unanimously and maintained the lead in the second round as well even though Akash gave a much better account of himself by managing to trouble the Kazakh with his jabs. However, Sabyrkhan was not to be fazed by Akash's sporadic shots. He was just too accurate for Akash.

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