Ghana in opening loss at AIBA Championship

Accra, Sept. 28, GNA - Ghana's national amateur boxing team, the B= lack Bombers began their campaign at the 2011 International Boxing Association (AIBA) World Championship underway in Azerbaijan on a losing note. Flyweight Duke Micah was overpowered by Japanese Susa Katsuaki 23:10 i= n their 52-kg clash on Tuesday.

Information gathered by GNA Sports has it that the 20-year old Ghanaia= n was overwhelmed by the experienced Japanese boxer, seven-years his senior. Micah, a beneficiary of the all-inclusive sponsorship 93Road to Dream= " programme, organized by AIBA becomes the first Ghanaian casualty at the global championship.

On Wednesday, September 28, Maxwell Amponsah, a bronze medallist at th= e recent All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique will battle it out against Draskovic Bokso of Montenegro in the 81-kg division whilst United Kingdom-based Norris Thompson gets his turn on Thursday, September 29 against Kholiqov Komiljon of Tajikistan in the preliminary round of the 69-Kg category. Light welterweight Amoo Bediako will face Georgian Koba Pkhakadze in the 64-Kg division on Friday, September 30 whilst Emmanuel Quarshie will slug it out against Chakaev Arbi of Austria in the 75-kg division 24-hours later. The tournament, which ends on October 10, is also a qualifier for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Over 500 boxers from 113 countries are competing for honours in the global championship. Ghana has yet to win a medal in the history of the biennial championship.