Indian quartet reach quarters at World Boxing Championships
Four out of four boxers won their bouts, handing India a clean sweep on the day.
A dazzling day in the Men’s World Boxing Championships in Yekaterinburg, Russia saw the likes of Manish Kaushik, Sanjeet, Kavinder Singh Bisht and Amit Panghal all registering victories in their respective bouts.
Setting the tone
Asian Games gold medalist Amit Panghal, contesting in the Men's Fly 52kg category, set the tone for India by defeating Turkey’s Batuhan Ciftci through unanimous decision (5-0). Seeded second in the tournament, the reigning Asian champion was on the front foot throughout.
Selective with his punches and superior in defence, Panghal performed as if he had studied the Turk’s movement to perfection.
The 23-year-old will now face Filipino Carlo Paalam for a place in the semis.
Kaushik adds to glory
Former national champion Manish Kaushik got the better of Mongolia’s Chinzorig Baatarsukh through unanimous decision (5-0) in the 63kg category to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Another feather added
Debutant Sanjeet Kumar saw off a stern challenge from Uzbekistan’s Sanjar Tursunov to register a victory in the 91kg category on a split decision (4-1). A bronze medallist in the previous World Championship, Tursunov failed to deliver anything promising against a technically superior Sanjeet.
An early flurry of punches in Round 2 put the Indian pugilist in a promising situation and there was no coming back for the Uzbek.
Kavinder makes it 4/4
Fifth-seeded Kavinder Singh Bisht ended India’s day on a high by defeating Finland's Arslan Khataev in the 57kg category through split decision (3-2).