Dubai, May 26: Defending champion Amit Panghal (52kg) advanced to the semifinals and assured himself of a second successive medal at the Asian Boxing Championships after overcoming a stiff challenge from Mongolia’s Kharkhuu Enkhmandakh in the last-eight stage here on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, National champion Varinder scored on counter-attacks against the swift-moving Dela Cruz to secure a medal on debut at the event.
With this India’s tally of assured medals swelled to 14. The World Championship silver-winning Indian won 3-2 in a high-octane contest in which he overcame a sluggish start and used his combination punches to telling effect in the last two rounds.
Late on Tuesday night, India Open gold-winner Sanjeet defeated Jasur Qurbonov of Tajikistan 5-0 to enter the semifinals in the men’s draw along with Thapa.
In the women’s competition, Sakshi (54kg) got the better of Tajikistan’s Ruhafzo Haqazarova 5-0 while Jaismine edged past Oyuntsetseg Yesugen of Mongolia 4-1 and will now square off against Vladislava Kukhta of Kazakhstan.
Simranjit, who recently recovered from COVID-19, defeated Raykhona Kodirova of Uzbekistan 4-1 in a well-fought match. (PTI)
