Before getting into the ring, lightflyweight Suban received news that his mother had passed away from breast cancer. But he concentrated on the match and defeated Kim 2012.

"This morning, I was told that my mother had died of breast cancer. I was shocked by the news," a tearful Suban said.

"But I still had a duty to serve the nation. I kept on telling myself that I must beat the Korean and continue on to try and win the gold medal. I will dedicate my victory to my mother. After the tournament, I'm going back home and will be ordained."

Suban's win has guaranteed him at least a bronze medal and put him in the semifinals, where he will face Ro Sok of North Korea. Ro yesterday defeated India's Balbir 3416.

The two will battle it out tomorrow for a place in the final and a guaranteed silver medal.

And it could be allThai affair in the final if Thiwakorn Arsai of Thailand B manages to get past TMC Tennekoon of Sri Lanka in another semifinal.

Thiwakorn yesterday stopped Japan's Kazuki Nemeto with an RSC (referee stopped contest) decision in the second round with the points at 255.

In the flyweight class, Asian Games gold medallist and former world champion Somjit Jongjohor successfully cleared his first hurdle after a scintillating win over Sri Lankan Jayantha Kumara 285.

Somjit will next take on Gao Linzhi, who defeated Fung U Wai of Macao in the preliminary round, in the quarterfinals today.

The highlight of yesterday was the featherweight bout between defending champion and last year's Best Boxer Kim Songguk and Uzbekistan's Sultonov Bahodirjom.

Kim, who won the silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympic, started strongly in the first two rounds and drew blood from the face of his opponent.

But Bahodirjom mounted a strong comeback, utilising his quick hands and throwing crisp combinations to stun Kim with a 1915 victory.

In the lightweight category, Anuwat Jaritrum and Tan Dansamak continued Thailand's winning streak, with Anauwut claiming a 1410 victory over Daijiro Hoshi of Japan.

Tan pulled off an RSC victory over Sri Lankan Ranaweera Mudiyanselege in the third round. Both Tan and Anuwat are guaranteed of a bronze medal.

Meanwhile, lightheavyweight Kreingkrai Sukkum beat India's Jasbir 3018.

Rising star Pichai Sayotha was the only Thai who failed to advance, losing 1121 to Mahmudov Dilshood of Uzbekistan in the lightwelterweight division.

There are 20 matches today, starting at 3pm. Admission is free.

Montreechai Lumyongsatian

The Nation

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