Yekaterinburg (Russia): Amit Panghal on Friday became the first male Indian boxer to qualify for the final of a World Boxing Championships.
Panghal has assured himself of at least a silver medal after defeating Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibossinov by split decision (3-2) in the 52 kg semi-final on Friday
He will take on Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov on Saturday. Zoirov defeated Frenchman Billal Bennama in his semifinal showdown.
Panghal’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular in Indian boxing ever since he claimed a 49 kg category bronze in the 2017 Asian Championships.
“The bout went very well for me although I had to put in more effort than I had thought. It is a huge achievement for Indian boxing and I am thankful for all the support that I have got,” Panghal said after the triumph.
Before this, India had never won more than one bronze medal in a single edition of the world championships but Panghal and Kaushik changed that by making the semi-finals.
Amit Panghal became the fifth Indian male boxer to win a medal at the World Championship. Across the history of Men’s World Boxing Championship, India have won four medals, all bronze by Vijender Singh (2009), Vikas Krishan Yadav (2011), Shiva Thapa (2015), Gaurav Bidhuri (2017).
