The opening day of the prestigious Senior National Boxing Championships witnessed commanding performances from some of India's biggest stars. The tournament, being held at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, saw defending champions and Olympic hopefuls stamp their authority early on.
Panghal and Sagar Dominate Their Respective Fights
Asian Games gold medalist and world championship silver medalist Amit Panghal began his title defense in the 51kg category with a resounding victory. Representing the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Panghal outclassed Mizoram's Lalfakzuala in a one-sided contest. The referee was forced to stop the bout in the second round, awarding Panghal a win by Referee Stopping Contest (RSC).
In another highlight of the day, world championship bronze medalist Sagar Awal also advanced with ease. Competing in the 92kg category for SSCB, Sagar proved too strong for Jammu and Kashmir's Prince. The bout met a similar fate, with the referee intervening in the second round to declare Sagar the winner by RSC.
Other Notable Results and Team Performance
The Services Sports Control Board team, a perennial powerhouse in Indian boxing, enjoyed a highly successful first day. Alongside Panghal and Sagar, several other SSCB pugilists secured their passage to the next round.
Ankit Khatana (86kg) defeated Haryana's Sahil, while Vikas (63.5kg) got the better of Madhya Pradesh's Ankit Kumar. In the 57kg category, Karan emerged victorious against Maharashtra's Rushikesh Gaud. The SSCB's winning momentum was further carried by Lalit (54kg), who beat Mizoram's Lalhruaitluanga, and Ankush (80kg), who triumphed over Tamil Nadu's Dheeraj Kumar.
The dominance of the SSCB squad was briefly interrupted by Haryana's Kuldeep in the 75kg category, who managed to secure a win against SSCB's Praveen, showcasing the competitive depth of the national championships.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Finals
With the initial rounds underway, all eyes will now be on the progression of the top seeds. The tournament, which runs until a yet-to-be-specified final date, serves as a crucial platform for boxers to showcase their form ahead of major international assignments. The commanding starts by Amit Panghal and Sagar Awal have set the tone for what promises to be a high-stakes and thrilling competition as boxers vie for the coveted national title and a chance to strengthen their claims for spots on the Indian team.
The event has drawn participation from top boxing units across the country, including the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), Haryana, and others, ensuring fierce competition across all weight categories. The action continues at the Gautam Buddha University indoor hall, with more knockout bouts scheduled in the coming days.
