World Boxing Championships | I will give more than 100 percent to win gold, says Amit Phangal
Indian boxer Amit Panghal has stated that he will give more than his 100 percent to win a gold medal at the Boxing World Championships in Ekaterinberg, Russia. Amit reached the semi-finals of the championship and secured at least a bronze medal as well as a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Indian boxer Amit Panghal’s phenomenal rise continued, as on Wednesday, he became only the fifth Indian male boxer to reach the semi-final at the World Championships and thus confirm a medal for himself and his country. Manish Kaushik became the sixth, later in the day.
With two big medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, he is roaring for even bigger glory in Russia, “My goal is to change the colour of the medal and I will give more than 100 per cent to win a gold here.” Panghal said in an interview with Scroll.in
A few new tricks were up his sleeve in these World Championships, Panghal explained the importance of the correct strategy and preparation before an event.Â
“I used to play counter and wouldn’t attack much earlier. But in the preparations in the run-up to the world championships, I have worked on counters and attacks in tandem, and that too, in a fast-paced manner.”
He defeated Carlo Paalam of the Philippines to reserve his place on the podium in Yekaterinburg, it was his strategy in this quarter-final bout to impress judges and earn more points.
“The efforts were to increase the number of counterattacks and attacking punches in the second and maximize it in the third round. Then, a boxer has a better opportunity to impress judges and earn more points.”
Describing his quarter-final bout as one of his most difficult matches in the championships so far, Panghal said, “I had to up the tempo in attack and defence. The counter-attacking punches and the pace of it had to be increased many fold so that the opponent could be put under pressure.”
Not the most intimidating figure because of his height at 5’3, Panghal has credited his right-hand punches against his taller opponents and “a change in pace and variations to the counter-attacks.”
When asked about the pressure of performing when you are tipped as a favourite to win a medal even before the Championships. Panghal praised the coaches and the homework they do for every opponent which helps their ward prepare well.
Defying odds, he beat reigning Olympic champion Hasanboy Dusmatov in a thrilling final to clinch the Asiad gold. Earlier this year, the 23-year-old added another feather to his cap with a gold at the Asian Championships.
What has worked for Panghal in his short career is his ability to reinvent himself before the start of a big event. In Russia, it has been an eye-catching left-arm roundhouse that has been his key weapon. His ever-improving stature is now on the brink of attaining cult status if he can become the first Indian boxer to breach the semi-final barrier.
