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Boxer Selim ‘satisfied’ in defeat
SPORTS REPORTER from Hangzhou
The judges from Croatia, Latvia, France, Italy and Ireland might not have given their verdict in favour of Selim Hossain, but the Bangladeshi boxer won the hearts of audience in the gallery before he went down fighting against Shudai Harada of Japan in the quarterfinals of 57kg category in Asian Games yesterday.
Selim, who astonished everyone by reaching the quarterfinals by defeating Sri Lankan Arachchinge Podi and Tajik Asror Vokhidov in the first two rounds, ensured that it would not be a one-sided bout, even though the scoreline eventually suggested otherwise.
The lad from Rajshahi fought neck and neck in all three three-minute rounds, but all five judges ended up awarding 30 points to Shudai and 27 points to Selim.
“I am satisfied with how I performed on such a big stage. I’m happy to leave by performing a good show,” Selim remarked after the match.
“I worked hard to study my Japanese opponent, but he is much faster and has better power and technique. Actually, I was unable to combat him in the manner that I desired, but I did my best,” Selim said of his opponent, who was placed 33rd in the World Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in April 2023.
Men’s cricket campaign begins today
Bangladesh men’s cricket team, who brought the country’s first Asiad gold medal in 2010 and followed it up with a bronze in 2014, are set to begin their Asian Games campaign by taking on Malaysia in the quarterfinal at Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket field today.
This time the Bangladesh squad is comparatively depleted, but captain Saif Hassan stated that their “target is to win the gold”.
Bangladesh players are enjoying the experience of participating in the Asiad for the first time amid “a lot of players from different disciplines from different countries”, informed the Bangladesh captain.
Kabaddi tastes bitter defeat
Bangladesh men’s kabaddi team suffered a massive 55-18 defeat to gold-aspirants India in their second Pool A match at Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre in Hangzhou yesterday.
A defeat at the hands of India, who beat Bangladesh 52-21 in the 2018 Games, was expected but the margin of defeat was not; especially after Bangladesh won three Bangabandhu Gold Cup international kabaddi tournaments in successive years under the supervision of the Indian coaches.
“We know India is very strong but our players also played very well; though most of our players haven’t had much experience,” said Bangladesh coach Ramesh Giri Bhendi, further stating that he hopes to see his charges “perform well in upcoming matches” against Chinese Taipei and Thailand and qualify for the semifinals to seal at least a bronze.
Weightlifter Nayeem fumbles on Asiad debut
Sheikh Nayeem Hossain had an Asian Games debut to forget as the 27-year-old weightlifter failed to lift four out of his six attempts in the B section of 73kg category at Xiaoshan Sports Center Gymnasium yesterday.