Amit Panghal, Jaismine Lamboria latest Indian boxers to secure quota for Paris Olympics

3 months ago 13

Panghal and Lamboria secured Olympic quota in the men’s 51kg and women’s 57kg categories respectively after reaching the semi-finals of the World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Bangkok on Sunday. read more

Amit Panghal, Jaismine Lamboria latest Indian boxers to secure quota for Paris Olympics

Indian boxer Amit Panghal had previously competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he had suffered a stunning 1-4 defeat against Colombia's Yuberjen Martinez in the pre-quarter-finals. Reuters

Amit Panghal and Jaismine Lamboria became the latest Indian boxers to secure quota for the upcoming Paris Olympics on Sunday after reaching the semi-finals of the World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Bangkok on Sunday.

Panghal secured Olympic quota in the men’s 51kg category after defeating Chinese boxer Liu Chuang 5-0 in the quarter-finals. He had earlier received a bye in the opening round, before winning the next two rounds to stay in contention for the semi-finals.

Lamboria would then win India’s sixth Olympic quota in boxing with a unanimous 5-0 verdict in her bout against Mali’s Marine Camara. She had previously defeated Switzerland’s Ana Marija Milisic in the Round of 16, also with a unanimous 5-0 verdict.

— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) June 2, 2024

The 22-year-old from Bhiwani thus helped India win back Olympic quota in the women’s 57kg category that they were forced to surrender after Parveen Hooda was suspended by WADA for multiple whereabouts failures.

World championships silver medallist Panghal and Lamboria join Nikhat Zareen (women’s 50kg), Preeti Pawar (women’s 54kg), Lovlina Borgohain (women’s 75kg) and Nishant Dev (men’s 71kg) among Indian boxers who have won Olympic quota so far.

Also Read | All Indian athletes who have qualified for 2024 Paris Olympics

Panghal had previously competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he had bowed out in the pre-quarter-finals following a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Colombia’s Yuberjen Martinez.

The 28-year-old pugilist from Haryana’s Rohtak had also won gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and had also emerged triumphant at the prestigious Strandja Memorial Tournament in February this year, winning the tournament for a third time.

Chuang had drawn first blood by claiming Round 1 4:1 on the back with some fine punches.

But the Indian national champion came out all guns blazing in Round 2 and attacked relentlessly to grab the advantage, impressing all the five judges. The deciding round was a frantic display of boxing by both pugilists as they attempted to outpunch each other.

Panghal ultimately came out on top as he smartly manoeuvred his Chinese opponent and landed his combination on his face and body to clinch the bout with a unanimous verdict.

In the evening session, Jaismine justified the selectors decision to field her in 57kg instead of her regular 60kg weight category, where she was a reserve for this event, by dominating all the three rounds against Camara.

However, it was disappointing end for Sachin Siwach in the final bout for the Indian contingent as he went down 0:5 against Kyrgyzstan’s Munarbek Seiitbek Uul in the third place play-off of the men’s 57kg category to decide the quota spot.

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