Ekaterinburg (Russia), Sep 17:
The Indian juggernaut seemed unstoppable as four boxers, including Asian champion Amit Panghal (52kg), advanced to the quarterfinals with impressive victories to round off an all-win outing at the World Men’s Championships here today.
Asian Games gold-medallist and second seed Panghal was joined by Asian silver-winner and fifth seed Kavinder Singh Bisht (57kg) and the debutant duo of Commonwealth Games silver-winner Manish Kaushik (63kg) and Sanjeet (91kg).
Panghal defeated Turkey’s Batuhan Citfci, while Kaushik stunned fourth-seeded Mong-olian Chinzorig Baatarsukh, who is an Asian Games silver-medallist and also a two-time medal-winner at the Asian Championships. Both the Indians claimed 5-0 victories.
Sanjeet (91kg) then caused another massive upset by defeating second-seeded Uzbek Sanjar Tursunov 4-1. Tursunov is a bronze-medallist from the previous World Championship besides being an Asian silver-winner.
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 Championship after a quarterfinal finish in 2017. Kaushik and Sanjeet are making their debuts at the showpiece. All four boxers are from the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). (PTI)
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