Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), April 4: India’s rising pugilist Vishvanath Suresh stunned reigning world champion and World No. 1 Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan to advance to the men’s 50kg class semifinals of the Asian Boxing Championships here on Saturday.
Before his upset win, Suresh had defeated Bekzat Ergeshov of Kyrgyzstan 5-0 in a unanimous decision from the judges.
Suresh, who trains at the Army Sports Institute, has rapidly established himself as one of India’s most exciting boxing prospects, seamlessly transitioning from a dominant youth career to the elite senior level.
Hailing from Chennai, his rise marks a significant moment for boxing talent emerging from the region. He is the reigning national champion, having clinched gold at the Elite Men’s National Boxing Championships 2026.
Technically sharp and tactically astute, Suresh is known for his speed, agility, and ring intelligence. His ability to control distance, combined with quick, precise combinations, makes him a formidable presence in the fast-paced flyweight category.
In the women’s 65kg category, Ankushita Boro secured a decisive 4-1 victory against Laura Yessenkeldi (KAZ), demonstrating poise and dominance to reach the semifinals. She will now compete against Chinese Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen, the 2025 World Boxing Finals gold medalist and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, in an important semifinal match.
In the men’s division, Narender maintained his momentum with a 5-0 win against Orkhan Aghayev (UAE), moving into the semifinals. He will next face China’s Bayikewuzi Danabieke, a bronze medalist at both the 2022 Asian Games and the 2025 World Championships.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 65kg category, Aditya was eliminated following a 0-5 defeat to Uzbekistan’s Abdulloh Madaminov in the quarterfinals.
India’s campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 continues to gain momentum in Ulaanbaatar, with standout performances and several semifinal appearances. (Agencies)
