AMIR KHAN, Britain’s splendidly precocious boxer, reached the final of the lightweight boxing tournament last night to revive British hopes for the weekend, after a day that had promised so much glory but failed to deliver. Khan will become the youngest British Olympic gold medal-winner by one day if he defeats Mario Kindelán, of Cuba, the defending champion, tomorrow. The record is presently held by Isabella Moore, a member of the Great Britain swimming quartet, who took the 4 x 100 metres freestyle title at the 1912 Games. She was 17 years 266 days. Khan will be 17 years and 265 days old tomorrow.
In an absorbing bout, Serik Yeleuov, of Kazakhstan, was outclassed by Khan in the third and fourth rounds, with the judges scoring the bout 40-26. “The guy was awkward, strong and powerful. I knew I had to step up. I know I started slowly but I knew I could beat the lad,” Khan said.
Asked about the final against the infinitely more experienced Kindelán, who defeated him 33-13 in the Olympic test event here in May, Khan said: “I’m confident. I’m buzzing just to get into the final. I have beaten four lads already. I might beat him as well.” Terry Edwards, the manager, said: “Amir has shown another side of himself tonight. He showed will and determination.” Kindelán was unextended in his semi-final, beating Murat Krachev, of Russia, 20-10.
Georgina Harland staged an astonishing comeback in the modern pentathlon to take a bronze medal after lying last of 32 competitors at one stage in the shooting, the first discipline in the five-event competition. Harland chased down 11 competitors on the 3,000 metres run, the last discipline. The 2003 European champion must only be regretting the fact that had she produced even a moderate performance in the shooting she would have taken the title, so memorably won by Steph Cook in 2000. Kate Allenby, third in Sydney, was eighth yesterday.
In the showjumping, another gold medal slipped away when Nick Skelton, the leader after the first round, knocked down three fences and received a time fault to end up joint eleventh. In the main stadium, Jade Johnson set a personal best of 6.80 metres to finish seventh in the long jump.