Draping the tri colour with utmost pride, India signs off clinching 13 medals in the Asian Boxing Championship

New Delhi, April 27: Impressive as it looks, the sheer dedication and hard work of the Indian athletes have made India shine with pride. Securing 13 medals in the Asian Boxing Championship, the boxing champions punched the victory balloon filled with success.

 

Boxer Amit Panghal picked up his second successive gold medal of the year, claiming the top honours in the 52-kilogram category. Panghal defeated Korea's Kim Inkyu Korea. National champion Deepak Singh and Kavinder Singh Bisht in 56-kilogram category signed off with silver medals after close losses.

Panghal, who won the Asian Games gold medal last year, defeated Korea's Kim Inkyu in a unanimous decision. He came into the tournament on the back of gold at the Strandja Memorial Tournament in February in Bulgaria.

The 28-year-old Pooja, a silver medallist at the event in 2012, struck gold among the women by defeating China's Wang Lina.

Former World Junior Champion, Nikhat Zareen (51 kg) made it to the semi-finals after knocking out former two-time World Champion Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan. Along with her, Shiva Thapa (60 kg) registered a win over Thailand's Rujakran Jurong. Thapa has now become the first Indian boxer to win four consecutive medals in the Asian Boxing Championship.

National Games gold medallist, Ashish Kumar won the match 5-0 and booked a semi-final spot for himself. Kyrgyzstan's Omurbek Uulu Bekzhigit was no match for Ashish Kumar in the 75 kg category.

India ended the event with 13 medals with two gold, four silver and seven bronze medals, in the tournament which was held simultaneously for men and women for the first time.