Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

USA's Demetrius Andrade reacts after defeating Andrey Balanov of Russia during a men's welterweight 69 kilogram preliminary boxing match at the Olympics in Beijing, Thursday. / AP photo

Providence boxer Demetrius Andrade, 20, the world amateur welterweight champion, is one of the shining stars of the U.S. Olympic boxing team. He proved just how far he's come with a dominating 14-3 victory over Andrey Balanov of Russia in the quarterfinals on Thursday night in Beijing (Thursday morning Eastern time).

With the win, he became the first American boxer to reach the quarterfinals. He'll fight again Sunday morning Eastern time at 8:46 a.m. against South Korea's Kim Jung-joo.

Of the American boxers still alive in the tournament, he has, perhaps, the best shot at a gold medal.

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Watch a video of Andrade's girlfriend, Sherly Garcia, their daughter, Autumn Andrade, other family and friends cheering him on at Stickyfingers in Providence, during the fight

Your Turn: Send messages of good luck to Demetrius Andrade

Elisabeth Beisel of the United States reacts after finishing second in a heat of the women's 200-meter backstroke during the swimming competitions in the National Aquatics Center at the Beijing Summer Games, Thursday. / AP photo

Meanwhile, North Kingstown Elizabeth Beisel finished first in her heat and second overall with a time of 2:07.90 in the semifinals of the 200-meter backstroke last night in Beijing's Water Cube.

If Beisel is to win a medal in the final in that event tonight, she will have to do it against a difficult field that will feature Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe and current world-record holder Margaret Hoelzer of the United States.

Coventry, swimming in the second group, finished with the top overall time -- 2:07.76.

The final is at 10:03 tonight, Eastern time.

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Video: For video of Beisel's swim, click here and fast forward to 11:42

Your Turn: Send messages of good luck to Elizabeth Beisel

 Tags  Elizabeth Beisel North Kingstown Olympics Providence

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