Boxing | Panghal makes comeback amid major changes ahead of Bangkok Olympic qualifiers

Following a disappointing performance by Indian boxers in the Olympic qualifiers held in Busto Arsizio, Italy, where they failed to secure a single spot, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced that Six boxers were changed from the World Olympic Qualifier squad. The final qualifying event will be held in Bangkok from May 25th to June 2nd.

As a result of the BFI evaluation by coaches Dmitry Dmitrak, CA Kuttappa and Dharmendra Yadav, the biggest returnee won the gold medal at the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia in February last year. It was Amit Panghal, a former world championship silver medalist. He will replace Deepak Boria, the world championship bronze medalist in the 51kg category.

Former world junior champion and fellow Strandja gold medalist Sachin Siwach Jr. replaced Mohammad Husamuddin, also a world bronze medalist in the 57kg category.

The biggest surprise was the absence of veteran boxer Siva Thapa, who finished third with 63.5 kg. Avinash Jamwal emerged as the top boxer in this category, followed by Vanshaji, who managed to recover from a bout with tuberculosis.

Young boxer Abhimanyu Lawla, a former national champion, has secured the first slot in the 80kg category.

World championship bronze medalist Nishant Dev (71kg) lost in the quarter-finals and missed out on a spot at the Italian Olympics, but Sanjeet (92kg) and Narender Belwal (over 92kg) retained the top spot.

In the women's category, Ankushita Boro, who represented Italy in the 66kg category, moved down to the 60kg category and took first place over Jaismin Ramboria.

Arundhati Chaudhary was the best in the 66kg category.

It turns out that in international competitions, emphasis was placed on a boxer's ability to win a match. The boxers will head to Bangkok on May 10th to train before the fight.

So far, four female boxers have secured spots for the Paris Olympics: Nikat Zareen (50kg), Preity Pawar (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg).

Team: Men: Amit Panghal (51kg), Sachin Siwach Jr (57kg), Avinash Jamwal (63.5kg), Nishant Dev (71kg), Abhimanyu Lawla (80kg), Sanjeet (92kg), Narender Belwal (+92kg).

Women: Ankushita Boro (60kg), Arundhati Chaudhary (66kg).