By: Talat Mohsin
Amit Panghal became the first Indian to clinch the silver medal in the world boxing Championship. He was defeated by Shakhodin Zoirov 5-0 in men’s 52 kg league. It was Panghal’s first meeting with Zoirov.
Panghal created history on Friday when he became the first Indian to qualify in the finals of the championship. He defeated Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibbisinov by split decision (3-2) in the semis. Uzbekistan’s Zoirov secured his place in the final after winning the semi-finals against France’s Billal Bennama.
India’s Manish Kaushik also reached the semi-finals, where he was knocked out 5-0 by Cuba’s Andy Cruz Gomez in the 63 kg bout. He became the fifth Indian Boxer win the bronze medal, after Vijender Singh (2009), Vikas Krishan (2011), Shiva Thapa (2015) and Gaurav Bidhuri (2017). Both Panghal and Kaushik are Naib Subedars in the Indian army.
“Hum dono bhaiyo ne yahi socha ki poora zor laga dena hai, desh ke liye medal ka colour change karna hai (we both had decided to give it our all in the semis and change the colour of the medal for the country. It’s unfortunate that Manish lost the match but it is a great journey that Manish had here on his debut. Debut par medal hamesha khaas hota hai”
Panghal after winning the semis (as stated in the Times of India).