The Indian juggernaut rolled on as four pugilists, including Asian champion Amit Panghal (52kg), advanced to the quarterfinals with impressive victories in the World men’s boxing championships here on Tuesday.
Asian Games gold-medallist and second seed Panghal was joined by Asian silver-winner and fifth seed Kavinder Singh Bisht (57kg) and the debutant duo of Commonwealth Games silver-winner Manish Kaushik (63kg) and Sanjeet (91kg).
Panghal defeated Turkey’s Batuhan Citfci, while Kaushik stunned fourth-seeded Mongolian Chinzorig Baatarsukh, who is an Asian Games silver-medallist and also a two-time medal-winner at the Asian Championships. Both the Indians claimed 5-0 victories.
Sanjeet (91kg) then caused another massive upset by defeating second-seeded Uzbek Sanjar Tursunov 4-1. Tursunov is a bronze-medallist from the previous World Championship besides being an Asian silver-winner.
In the evening session, Bisht defeated Finland’s Arslan Khataev 3-2 to claim a second successive quarterfinal spot at the marquee tournament.
For the Prime Minister
Panghal, who is chasing a medal in his second World Championship after a quarterfinal finish in 2017, dedicated his win to the Prime Minister. Kaushik and Sanjeet are making their debuts at the showpiece. All four boxers are from the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB).
Second-seeded Panghal, the reigning Asian champion, will next be up against Filipino Carlo Paalam, who had lost to Panghal in the semifinals of the Asian Games in Jakarta last year.
Kaushik, on the other hand, will square off against Brazil’s Wanderson de Oliveira and Sanjeet will be up against seventh-seeded Julio Cesa Castillo Torres of Ecuador.
For the PM
“It was a good bout as I fought against an experienced boxer. I will be ready with my strategy for Paalam tomorrow.
“I dedicate this win to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is celebrating his 69th birthday today,” Panghal said after the bout.
Kaushik, a former National champion, adopted a more cautious approach and waited for his rival to reach out. Baatarsukh fell into the trap quite early and was unable to cope with the Indian’s counter-attack.
Sanjeet’s was the last bout of the afternoon session and he hardly looked intimidated by his more fancied rival.
The India Open gold-medallist was the quicker of the two and connected more accurately in the intense battle during which even Tursunov acknowledged Sanjeet’s grit.
Bisht was the last Indian boxer in action on Tuesday and displayed a solid defensive strategy to outwit his sprightly opponent.
