Bangkok: Former Asian Games bronze medallist Pooja Rani (81kg) stunned reigning world champion Wang Lina in the final while, Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal (52kg) quest for gold medal continued as he won the second gold at the Asian Boxing Championships 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday. Indian pugilists proved masters of the ring as they finished campaign with a best-ever haul of 2 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze medals. Rani, in her very first year of competing in the 81kg category after having fought in the 75kg, the national champion had to stave off a stiff resistance from the Chinese to secure a 4-1 victory in an enthralling contest.
This was the 28-year-old Bhiwani boxer’s third medal from the Asian Championships after a silver in 2012 and a bronze in 2015. This is also India’s first ever gold in the 81kg category from this elite tournament. Korea’s Kim Inkyu was no match for the 23-year-old Amit Panghal who continued his Asian domination in his continental competitive debut in the 52kg category after moving up from 49kg. With a sizzling display of power and precision, an aggressive Amit emerged a 5-0 winner to add to the gold medal he won at the start of the season at the Strandja Cup. This is Amit’s second medal from the Asian Championships following a bronze in 2017.
Panghal had earlier beaten the reigning Olympic champion Hasanboy Dusmatov this week after having accounted for the Uzbek at the Asian Games 49kg final last year. However, besides Amit and Pooja Rani, India had to settle for silver in the rest of the four finals. In 56kg, Kavinder Singh Bisht put up a spirited display and a lionhearted performance despite a cut over his right eye, which he had sustained in the semi-finals, opening up. The 2019 GeeBee Boxing tournament gold medallist gave his all before going down 0-5 to Uzbekistan’s Mirazizbek
Mirzahalilov.