Asian Boxing C'ships: Medals galore for India as 15 medals assured

Dubai, May 27: In the biggest haul of medals for India, the boxing contingent assured India of 15 medals - the country's best-ever medal haul at the Asian Championships surpassing 13 medals of the 2019 edition. This comes after Amit Panghal, Vikas Krishan and Varinder registered victories and moved up to the semi-finals of the event.

 

 

 

Also, Tokyo-bound Simranjit Kaur alongside two other boxers made their way into the semi-finals on the second day as Indian women assured the country of 10 medals. Apart from this, with Sakshi (54kg), and Jaismine (57kg) progressing into the last-4 stage and MC Mary Kom (51kg), Lalbuatsaihi (64kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Pooja Rani (75kg), Monika (48kg), Saweety (81kg) and Anupama (+81kg) kickstarting their campaign in the semi-finals, women's team confirmed India a medal in each weight category.

 

 

 

The World Championship silver medallist Amit Panghal lived up to his reputation as he defeated Kharkhuu Enkhmandakh 3-2 in the 52kg quarter-finals. He will take on Kazakh boxer Saken Bibossinov, whom he beat in the 2019 World Championships semi-finals. Varinder Singh (60kg) outclassed Samuel Dela Cruz of the Philippines 5-0 in a one-sided quarter-final and handed India its 14th medal at the prestigious event. He will now square off against Iran's Daniyal Shahbakhsh in the last four stage.

 

 

In the third Indian bout of the day, World Championships bronze medallist Vikas Krishan defeated Iran's Moslem Malamir 4-1 in 69kg semi-finals. Vikas will face a stiff challenge from the top seed and defending Champion Bobo Usmon Baturov of Uzbekistan in the semi-finals. Later on the third day of the Championships, two more Indian pugilists Ashish Kumar (75kg) and Narender (+91) will be seen in action and will look to make winning starts in the tournament and confirm medals for the country.

 

 

The World Championships bronze medallist Punjab's Simranjit defeated Uzbek boxer Raykhona Kodirova 4-1 in the 60kg quarter-finals bout to confirm her second successive medal at the Asian Championships. Simrajit, who had won silver in the last edition of the event in 2019, will take on Rimma Volossenko of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals on Thursday.

 

 

Sakshi and Jasmine also managed comfortable victories in their respective categories. While Sakshi blanked Ruhafzo Haqazarova of Tajikistan 5-0 to set up a last-4 clash against 2016 World Champion and top-seed from Kazakhstan Dina Zholaman, Jasmine beat Mongolian Oyuntsetseg Yesugen 4-1 to confirm her maiden medal at the Asian Championships. Jasmine will take on Vladislava Kukhta of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals.