Indian boxers have made a significant impact at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with 10 pugilists advancing to the finals. This strong performance positions the country for a potential gold medal rush in the boxing competition.
Among those who secured their places in the gold medal bouts are Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas, Arundhati Choudhary, Lovlina Borgohain, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, Sachin Siwach, Ankush Panghal, and Narender Berwal.
Dominant Performances in Semi-Finals
Several boxers delivered commanding performances to reach the finals. Arundhati Choudhary notably defeated defending champion Rosie Eccles of Wales with a 4-0 victory in their women’s 70kg semi-final. Choudhary maintained a strong showing in the initial rounds, leading to a standing count for Eccles.
World champion Jaismine Lamboria showcased her dominance in the women’s 57kg category, securing her final spot via a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) decision against Rapelang Maselela of Lesotho. Lamboria controlled the bout from the outset with sharp combinations and precise footwork. Maselela received her third standing count in the closing seconds of the second round, leading to the RSC decision. This victory guarantees India at least a silver medal in the women’s 57kg category.
Preeti Pawar and Ankush Panghal both achieved unanimous 5-0 victories in their respective semi-final matches. Preeti out-punched Catherine Mwape of Zambia, cleverly using counter-attacks with her left straight. Mwape struggled to connect and faced three counts in the first two rounds, with all five judges marking 10-8 in Preeti’s favour in the second round. Preeti, an Asian Games bronze medallist from Bhiwani, will now face Scarlett Delgado of Canada in the final. Delgado defeated Lauren Mackie of England 4-1 in her semi-final.
Ankush Panghal was equally dominant against Joshua Ofori of Canada in the men’s 80kg category. Ofori resorted to repeated clinching after being outboxed in the opening two rounds. Despite an all-out attack from the Canadian in the second round, Ankush absorbed the pressure and countered with crisp combinations, leading to a one-sided 5-0 verdict. Ankush will compete against Dimeji Shittu of England in the gold-medal match.
Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain also advanced to the finals with a unanimous 5-0 victory over Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki of Tuvalu in the women’s 75kg category. Lovlina dictated the pace, utilizing her long reach, sharp footwork, and crisp combinations effectively.
Narender Berwal concluded a successful day for India in the ring, securing a unanimous 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 with a unanimous 5-0 decision. Sakshi Chaudhary delivered a dominant display in the women’s 51kg semi-finals, beating Amber Jane Wall of Canada 5-0 to enter the final. Priya Ghanghas defeated Lucy Kings-Wheatley of England with a unanimous 5-0 decision to reach the women’s 60kg final, becoming the seventh Indian boxer to secure a place in a gold-medal bout.
Ankush Panghal’s Journey to the Final
Ankush Panghal‘s journey to the Commonwealth Games podium in Glasgow is a testament to his dedication. His combination of punches rattled his Canadian opponent, Joshua Ofori, leading to a clear victory. Ankush, one of the younger members of the team, has shown a rapid rise since he began boxing nine years ago.
Hailing from Haryana, a region known for producing boxers, Ankush’s story highlights grit and discipline. He started training at the age of 11 at a government school in Gangwa village in Hisar under coach Pradeep Sawant. Despite basic facilities, including training in an open ground without a boxing ring, Ankush’s determination was evident. His coach noted his keenness and ability to quickly grasp techniques.
Ankush became a national champion at the school nationals (U-14) when he was 14, which helped him secure a monthly stipend under the Khelo India scheme. He continued to excel in national and international competitions at junior and youth levels, later winning medals at World Cup finals and senior nationals. He now receives support from Olympic Gold Quest and is part of the Army Sports Institute, benefiting from top-class coaching and training. Despite being a debutant in the competition, the 20-year-old southpaw has performed like a seasoned professional, securing three 5-0 wins in his campaign. His father, Manoj Kumar, a farmer from Bherian village, Hisar district, initially saw his son’s potential. Manoj, a former state-level kabaddi player, had initially encouraged Ankush in kabaddi, where he also showed promise, winning a gold medal at a school-level competition in the fifth standard. However, Manoj later guided him towards boxing, viewing it as an individual sport where Ankush could make a name for himself. Ankush’s success has been a source of celebration in his community, with young trainees at Pradeep’s facility watching his progress with amazement and celebrating his victories.
The success of these boxers underscores India’s strong presence in the sport at the Commonwealth Games, with many now poised to compete for gold medals.
Preeti Pawar expressed her happiness with her performance, stating she is ready to give her best for the gold medal on Saturday.
Source: m.rediff.com
