Amit Panghal had a lot to prove, and there was no better way to do so than in the ring. Panghal put up a spectacular performance to defeat 48kg world champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan 5-0 to win the flyweight (51kg) gold at the Strandja Memorial boxing event in Bulgaria. Panghal controlled the final from start to finish, capping off an impressive week at the prestigious event. Throughout the event, he appeared determined to win the title and defeated all four opponents by a unanimous decision. This was Tokyo Olympian Panghal’s first major victory since his 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham, after which he lost to Deepak twice at home and missed out on the Asian Games.
Panghal will not be part of the Olympic qualifiers in Italy later this month, having lost to Deepak Bhoria in the selection process, but this triumph will keep the fire burning in him.