Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal (52 kg) and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Manish Kaushik (63 kg) have confirmed medals for India by entering semi-finals at World Boxing Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia on Wednesday. This is first time that more than one Indian boxer will be on podium at a single edition in history of World Boxing Championships. 

READ | Amit Panghal Sails Into Pre-quarters At World Boxing Championships

Part of a small group

Amit and Manish w join Vijender Singh, Vikas Krishan, Shiva Thapa, and Gaurav Bidhuri as only or Indian boxers to have medals at World Championship. In last edition in 2017, only Gaurav Bidhuri was able to bring home a bantamweight bronze medal.

READ | World Boxing: Amit Panghal, Manish, Sanjeet, Kavinder Enter Quarters

Up against a familiar opponent, Carlo Paalam of Philippines, whom Panghal beat at Asian Games last year, Asian champion did t put a foot wrong. Amit evaded Paalam very well in opening round and landed a few strong punches of his own. Both boxers n brought forth ir aggression as y kept ir eyes fixed on medal. In final round, Amit went all out showing his pace and attack. determination was written large on his face as he sailed to a 4-1 win to confirm India's first medal this year. Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibossiv w stands between him and a chance at gold.

In 63 kg, Manish started off in a cautious manner against Brazil’s Wanderson de Oliveira and was defensive in first round. It was a much better approach from Indian in second round as he showed his fighting spirit and attack. A calm and steady Manish put his all out re in ring in final round and was rewarded with his maiden medal from World Championships. For a chance to win gold, Kaushik needs to overcome reigning world champion Andy Cruz of Cuba.

READ | Kavinder Bisht Storms Into Pre Quarters At World Boxing Championship

Sanjeet misses out

Sanjeet, however, could t join his compatriots as he fell 1-4 to Ecuador's Julio Castillo Torres 1-4 in 91 kg.  2019 Pan American Games silver medallist and two-time Olympian showed his class and experience to kck Sanjeet out, who resorted to a defensive approach and never looked comfortable

READ | Ken Shamrock Expresses Desire To Share Ring With Brock Lesnar