Asian Boxing Championships | Shiva Thapa, Amit Panghal on course to win medals

Five Indian boxers namely - Shiva Thapa, Amit Panghal, Ashish, Sarita Devi and Nikhat Zareen - managed to seal a spot in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Asian Boxing Championships which is being held in Bangkok. Thapa (60 kg) securing a record fourth medal at the Asian showpiece event as a total of five Indian boxers entered the quarter-finals of the tournament in Bangkok. Shiva looked to be at his peak when he out-punched Kyrgyzstan’s Seitbek Uulu M 4-1 to march into the quarters.

2018 Asian Games gold medalist, Amit Panghal also made it to the last eight with a 5-0 decimation of Taipei’s Tu Po-Wei in his first major bout in the 52 Kg category having previously fought in the 49 kg weight category. Meanwhile, Ashish (69 kg) continued his positive display in the competition with a strong 4-1 win over Abdurakhman Abdurakhmanov of Kyrgyzstan to book his quarter-final berth.

Amongst the women, four-time Asian Championships gold medallist Sarita Devi, who is aiming at winning her sixth medal in the tournament, defeated Korea’s Gwon Sujin to storm into the quarter-finals. In addition, former world junior champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) won her opening bout against Cambodia’s Srey Pov Nao with considerable ease.

2017 Asian Amateur boxing Championship silver medalist Shiva Thapa continued to be one of India’s favourites as he led his way into the quarter-finals by punching down Sietbek Uulu M.(4-1). In another match, Asiad 2018 gold medalist Amit Panghal decimated Taipei’s Tu Po-Wei (5-0) in his first competitive bout in 52 kg.

Ashish continued his terrific and scintillating performance by knocking down Abdurakhman Abdurakhmanov of Kyrgyzstan and marched into the quarters. Four-time Asian Championship gold medalist Sarita Devi began her campaign, paving her way into the quarters by defeating Korea’s Gown Sujin. The Manipuri boxer was found dominating the third round and clinching the contest by RSC (Referee Stop Contest). Former World junior champion Nikhat Zareen of Telangana maintained her best in her opening contest against Cambodia’s Srey Pov Nao. The only failure for India was Brijesh Yadav in 81kg as he lost 4-0 against Uzbekistan opponent Dilshodbek Ruzmetov.

NOTE: As we are finishing the report, the news came out that Amit Panghal has defeated Olympic Champion Hasanboy Dusmatov to reach the semi-finals of the 52 kg category in Asian Boxing Championships. Panghal had also defeated him in the final of Asian Games and is now assured of a medal.