Indian boxers continued their strong run at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 as Ankush Panghal registered a thumping win over 75kg reigning world champion Fazliddin Erkinboev in the men’s 80kg semifinal at the continental showpiece to march into the final.
Ankush and Parveen Hooda made it to the finals of their respective category, while Narender Berwal settled for a bronze after losing his +90kg semifinal bout to current world champion Aibek Oralbay of Kazakhstan.
Ankush registered a brilliant come-from-behind win over Erkinboev in the semifinal by 4-1. Ankush was trailing 1-4 at the end of the first round but bagged a closely fought second round 3-2 with his punches landing well.
The Indian pugilist was superior of the two boxers in the third round as well, as he clinched the third one 5-0. Four of the five judges voted in favour of Ankush as he won 4-1. All four gave him a 29-28 ruling, while he received a 28-29 against him from one judge.
Later, Narender lost his semifinal to Oralbay by a 0-5 unanimous decision. Oralbay dominated the bout with his strong punches, while Narender fought his way well but could not bring the world champion down.
Oralbay won the first round 5-0 with his punches landing well. He continued his dominance in the second round as well as his fierce attacks put Narender in trouble. The Kazakh took a defensive approach in the third round as he kept the Indian pugilist at bay for a 5-0 win.
Meanwhile, Ankush has become the first Indian male boxer to move into the Asiad final since Amit Panghal (49kg) won a gold in the 2018 Jakarta Games. Narender won the bronze in the men’s +92kg event in the last Games.
India have six boxing medals confirmed as they have now surpassed their previous five-medal haul of the Hangzhou Games.
(IANS)
