Amit Panghal scripted history by becoming the Indian male boxer to reach the final of AIBA World Boxing Championships. Panghal beat Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan by a split (3-2) decision in the 52kg category (flyweight) semi-final clash to at least assure himself a silver in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Panghal had earlier defeated Filipino Carlo Paalam in the quarter-final by a 4-1 margin. He will face Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov in the summit clash on Saturday. He was knocked out of the quarter-finals in his debut year in 2018 but has taken India to new heights in his second attempt at the World Championships.

The 23-year-old Asian Games gold medallist becomes the fifth Indian male boxer to win a medal at the World Boxing Championships and the first to reach the final. Vijender Singh (2009), Vikas Krishan (2011), Shiva Thapa (2015) and Gaurav Bidhuri (2017) are the other men’s boxer to win a medal from the World Championships but all of them had clinched the bronze. Panghal, however, has already eclipsed them by assuring himself of silver and is chasing the record of becoming the first Indian to seal a gold medal.

Earlier, Panghal along with Manish Kaushik had become the first pair of boxers to reach the semi-finals in a single edition of the World Boxing Championships. Kaushik, however, settled for a bronze after losing his 63kg category semi-final clash against defending world champion Andy Cruz Gomez of Cuba. Kaushik lost 0-5 in a lop-sided clash. Kaushik and Panghal are the first two Indian men’s boxers to win medals in the single edition of the tournament.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2019 04:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).