(Asian Games) Albania wins, lifts boxing hopes

GUANGZHOU—Lone Filipino female entry Annie Albania sustained a win streak by the Philippine boxing team in the 16th Asian Games here yesterday with a masterful conquest of a taller foe from powerhouse Kazakhstan at the Fushan Gymnasium. Albania, 28, three-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games, stormed to an early 3-0 lead with sharp right-hand connections, took a breath, then pressed harder to complete her domination of Zhaina Zhekervokoba, 9-2, flailing away.

Albania, who said she was thankful for the victory and will go all out for the gold medal here, next faces Japan’s Aya Shimmoto of Japan, who also proved too good for her tough Mongolian opponent yesterday. Albania’s win came on the heels of three straight victories scored by Filipino boxers Saturday, a feat that assured flyweight Rey Saludar of at least a bronze medal. Light flyweight Victorio Saludar and welterweight Wilfredo Lopez resume their medal hunt in today’s boxing quarterfinals. Victor goes up against highly rated Amandeep Singh of India while Lopez takes on Mongolia’s Otgonjargal Jargal.
Rey Saludar, Tammer Cup gold medalist like younger brother Victor, fights Japan’s Katsuaki Susa in the flyweight division semifinals on Wednesday. “I’ve promised to win and bring home a medal from here to Sir MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) and all those who had supported me in the last World Championships,” Albania said. The multititled top Filipina amateur fighter bombed out in the first round of the World Boxing Championship in Barbados earlier this year. She said she wanted to make up for the disappointment she had caused her supporters. “I’m truly focused now,” said Albania who backed her vow with a sustained intensity that resulted in her Kazakh foe getting a mandatory eight-count after absorbing rapid combinations before the final bell.