Asian Games 2018: Amit Panghal gives India golden punchline

For boxer Amit Panghal, the 22-year-old Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, this was the most difficult fight of his life.

Having lost to Olympic champion and world No. 1 Hasanboy Dusmatov in the quarterfinal of Hamburg World Championship last year, Amit knew his 49kg flyweight final will be the biggest test of his career so far.

However, he also knew that 25-year-old Dusmatov, has not been in the best of form since winning the Rio Olympic gold in 2016. And having watched him lose to Indian pugilist NT Lalbiakkima in President Cup’s quarters was the biggest motivation that Amit was carrying into the ring on Saturday.

Amit dominated his more fancied opponent from the word go. He faced stiff challenge in the third round but survived it and came out as winner on split decision.

“I had lost to Dusmatov before, so I was prepared this time. Coach (Santiago Nieva) and other coaches had prepared me well for the Asiad. It was a wake up call for me during the semifinal bout as I failed to play to my potential. But here (in final), I did not make the same mistake,” said Amit.

Naib Subedar Phangal is from ASI, Pune under Army Mission Olympics wing. He joined the Army in 22 Mahar Regiment in July 2017. 

Amit was inspired by his elder brother Ajay to take up boxing during his school days in 2009. The credit should also go to his coach, Anil Dhankar, for bringing him to Gurugram where he got better training facilities there. He hasn’t looked back since then.