One of India’s brightest medal hopes, Sachin Siwach, survived a stern challenge from familiar foe Keoma Al-Ahmadieh of Canada to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the Commonwealth Games boxing competition here on Saturday.

The Bhiwani boxer relied on his experience against Al-Ahmadieh, whom he had beaten at the Boxam Tournament in Spain earlier this year and at the World Cup in Kazakhstan last year, to script a hard-fought 4-1 split decision victory in the men’s first round bout at the SEC Centre. The 26-year-old will next face England’s William Hewitt in the round of 16.