Tokyo Olympics: Vikas Krishan stunned in first round, lost 5-0 to his Japanese opponent

In a major setback, India’s most experienced boxer Vikas Krishan lost in the opening round of the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. Vikas, playing his 3rd Olympics, was tipped to win a medal this time but was left shell-shocked as local boxer Mensah Okazawa stunned him in the first round. The boxer from Japan won by a 5-0 margin. It has been a mixed first day for Team India at Tokyo 2020 as some results went in their favour, while in others huge upsets were caused. One such upset was of boxer Vikas Krishan Yadav.

Interestingly, for Tokyo 2020, India had fielded nine pugilists – their highest ever in a single edition of the Olympics. Krishan, who was seen as a big medal prospect will now head home empty-handed. The 29-year-old sustained a cut below his left eye in the high-voltage clash. He was the only Indian boxer in action on the day.

Quincy Okazawa got his revenge on Vikas Krishan in the Olympics after the latter picked up the win in the 2020 Asia/Oceania Olympics Qualifiers. Vikas Krishan was on the back foot from the first round as Okazawa landed some clean punches on him.

Vikas changed his approach and was trying to put his opponent into corners. A lot of concentration was needed from the two boxers to carry out the tactics planned before the bout. The Japanese tried to evade the Indian in the second round and attack on the counter. And, the plan worked once again as Vikas found himself bleeding and required medical attention momentarily.

The message to Vikas in the third round was clear – get the knockout. However, he failed to do so as the judges once again favored the round to Okazawa. The Japanese boxer 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.