Panghal, Kaushik, Sanjeet in quarters
The Indian juggernaut seemed unstoppable as four boxers, including Asian champion Amit Panghal (52kg), advanced to the quarter-finals with impressive victories to round off an all-win outing at the World Men’s Championships here on Tuesday. Asian Games gold medallist Panghal was joined by Asian silver medallist and fifth seed Kavinder Singh Bisht (57kg) and the debutant duo of Commonwealth Games silver medallists Manish Kaushik (63kg) and Sanjeet (91kg).
Panghal defeated Turkey’s Batuhan Citfci, while Kaushik stunned fourth-seeded Mongolian Chinzorig Baatarsukh, who is an Asian Games silver-medallist and also a two-time medalwinner at the Asian Championships. Both the Indians claimed 5-0 victories.
Sanjeet (91kg) then caused another massive upset by defeating second seed Uzbek Sanjar Tursunov 4-1. Tursunov is a bronze medallist from the previous World Championships.
In the evening session, Bisht defeated Finland’s Arslan Khataev 3-2 to claim a second successive quarterfinal spot at the marquee tournament.
Panghal is also chasing a medal in his second World Championships after a quarter-final finish in 2017. Kaushik and Sanjeet are making their debuts at the showpiece event.
Second-seeded Panghal will next be up against Filipino Carlo Paalam, who had lost to the Indian Panghal in the Asian Games semi-finals last year.
Kaushik, on the other hand, will square off against Brazil’s Wanderson de Oliveira. Sanjeet will be up against seventh seed Julio Cesa Castillo Torres of Ecuador.
Awaiting Bisht in the lasteight stage is fourth seed Englishman Peter McGrail, a former gold medallist at the European Championships and reigning Commonwealth Games champion.
“It was a good bout as I fought against an experienced boxer. I will be ready with my strategy for Paalam tomorrow,” said Panghal after the bout.