Indian boxers Preeti Pawar and Ankush Panghal advance to Commonwealth Games finals
Indian boxers Preeti Pawar and Ankush Panghal have secured their spots in the finals of their respective categories at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Both pugilists delivered commanding 5-0 victories in their semi-final bouts on Friday, contributing to India’s strong performance in the boxing competition.
Pawar, competing in the women’s 54kg category, out-punched Catherine Mwape of Zambia with a unanimous 5-0 decision. Her dominance was evident as she forced a standing count in the first round and again in the second. Pawar will now face Scarlett Delgado of Canada in the gold medal contest on Saturday.
Panghal, in the men’s 80kg semi-final, also achieved a unanimous 5-0 victory against Joshua Ofori of Canada. He controlled the bout with sharp combinations and superior footwork. Ofori received a point deduction for a blow to the back of the head during the second round. Panghal is set to compete against Dimeji Shittu of England in the gold medal match on Saturday.
India’s strong boxing contingent
The victories by Pawar and Panghal were part of a successful day for India’s boxing contingent, with a total of 10 pugilists advancing to the finals. This ensures at least two more silver medals for India, with both boxers now vying for gold.
Other Indian boxers who have reached the finals include Sakshi Chaudhary, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas, Arundhati Choudhary, Lovlina Borgohain, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, Sachin Siwach, and Narender Berwal.
Arundhati Choudhary notably defeated defending champion Rosie Eccles of Wales with a 4-0 score in the women’s 70kg semi-final. Jaismine Lamboria secured her final spot in the women’s 57kg category with a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) decision against Rapelang Maselela of Lesotho.
Lovlina Borgohain, an Olympic medallist, also advanced to the women’s 75kg final with a unanimous 5-0 victory over Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki of Tuvalu. Narender Berwal concluded the day for India with a 5-0 decision against Nigel Paul of Trinidad and Tobago in the men’s 90+kg category.
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam reached the men’s 55kg final by defeating P. P. M. Haoseb of Namibia 5-0. Sakshi Chaudhary delivered a dominant performance in the women’s 51kg semi-finals, beating Amber Jane Wall of Canada 5-0. Priya Ghanghas also secured her place in the women’s 60kg final with a 5-0 win over Lucy Kings-Wheatley of England.
Boxers’ journeys to the finals
Preeti Pawar, an Asian Games bronze medallist, expressed her happiness with her performance and her preparation for the final. She mentioned her focus on detailed planning with her coaches and her commitment to giving her best for the gold medal. Pawar dedicated her assured medal to the people of India, acknowledging their support and blessings.
Ankush Panghal’s journey to the final marks a significant achievement for the young pugilist. He has demonstrated consistent performance with three 5-0 victories in the competition so far. His coach, Pradeep Sawant, highlighted Panghal’s discipline and hunger to learn, noting that he became a national champion at the age of 14. Panghal’s father, Manoj Kumar, a farmer, also spoke about his son’s dedication and hard work, which are now yielding rewards.
Panghal’s training began at a government school in Gangwa village, Hisar, with basic facilities. He later received support through the Khelo India scheme and is now part of the Army Sports Institute. His success at the Commonwealth Games follows previous medals at World Cup finals and senior nationals. On Saturday, Panghal will have the opportunity to compete for a gold medal.
Source: m.rediff.com
