Four Indians Eyeing Medal Finish
The Indian juggernaut seemed unstoppable as four boxers, including Asian champion Amit Panghal (52kg), advanced to the quarterfinals with impressive victories to round off an all-win outing at the World Men’s Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia, 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)
Mixed Day for India at World Boxing
India's Manish Kaushik (63kg) and Amit Panghal (52kg) on Wednesday reached the semi-finals in their respective weight categories and thus assured themselves of a medal each.
India have won only four medals in the history of the Worlds thus far and this will be the first time that more than one boxer from the country will be winning a medal at the same edition.
Meanwhile, Sanjeet (91kg) and Kavinder (57kg) didn’t come up a spirited show to end their campaign at the World Boxing.
On Thursday (19 September), Amit will be up against Kazakhstan's Saken Bibossinov in the semis of 52kg while Kaushik will be facing Cuban top seed Andy Gomez Cruz in the 63kg semi-final.
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End of roads Kavinder
In the 57kg category, Kavinder Singh Bisht lost to fourth-seeded Englishman Peter McGrail in 5-0.
The judges’ score read: 28-29, 28-29, 27-30, 28-29, 27-30.
McGrail is a former gold-medallist at the European Championships and reigning Commonwealth Games champion.
Heartbreak For Sanjeet
In 91kg, Sanjeet lost to seventh seeded Julio Cesa Castillo Torres of Ecuador 1-4.
The judges’ score read: 27-30, 28-29, 29-28, 28-29, 28-29
In the previous round, Sanjeet caused a massive upset by defeating second-seeded Uzbek Sanjar Tursunov 3-2. Tursunov is a bronze-medallist from the previous world championship besides being an Asian silver-winner.