Boxing World Qualifiers: Sachin (57kg) & Sanjeet (92kg) Advance To Next Round

Sachin Siwach and Sanjeet Kumar advanced to the next rounds to inch closer to Paris Olympics qualification. 

Image: X/Olympics

Indian pugilists Sachin Siwach (57kg) and Sanjeet Kumar (92kg) inched closer to their 2024 Paris Olympics qualification with decisive victories in the Boxing World Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday. 

Siwach led the way for India with a dominant 5-0 win over Turkish Olympian Batuhan Ciftci in the pre-quarterfinals, followed by Sanjeet's identical margin victory over Venezuela's Luis Sanchez in the Round of 32.

Siwach started strong in Round 1, quickly taking control of the bout with an effective strategy. He secured a unanimous verdict in Round 2, and despite Ciftci's attempted comeback in the final round, Siwach remained comfortably in the lead. 

Similarly, in the 92kg category, 2021 Asian Championship gold medalist, Sanjeet dominated Sanchez from the outset, not giving his Venezuelan opponent any opportunity to gain an advantage in Round 1.

Notably, only three boxers will qualify for the Paris Olympics in the 57kg category, meaning Siwach needs to win two more bouts. Similarly, Sanjeet, who received a bye in the Round of 64, aims to secure a spot as all four semi-finalists in his weight category will qualify.

Amit Panghal (51kg), and Jaismine (women’s 57kg), too, registered convincing wins over their respective opponents to advance to the next round.

Jaismine did not give Azerbaijan’s Mahsati Hamzayeva any chance of even putting up a fight as she clinched the women’s 57kg category Round of 32 bout with a 5:0 verdict.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amit Panghal then completed a perfect day for the Indian contingent as he got the better of Mexico’s Mauricio Ruiz 4-1.

The Indian National Champion was under pressure in Round 1 but he picked up pace in the last minute of that round and then turned the match around with a couple of combination punches in the third and final round to clinch the win.

With inputs from IANS.