Ankush Panghal enters Asian Games 80kg SF, seals India's first boxing medal
Synopsis
Ankush Panghal's unanimous 5-0 dismissal of Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov at the Nishio Gymnasium is more than a quarterfinal win — it is India's guaranteed first boxing medal at Aichi-Nagoya. The CWG gold medallist barely broke a sweat across three rounds, and now stands two bouts away from gold.
Key Takeaways
Ankush Panghal beat Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov 5-0 (unanimous decision) in the men's 80kg quarterfinals at the Nishio Gymnasium on 27 September .
The victory assures India's first boxing medal at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya .
Scorecards: four judges gave 29-28 to Ankush; one judge scored it 30-27 .
India's Kurash contingent — Vishal, Sangita Balhara, Bharti, and Yash Kumar Chauhan — were all eliminated in early rounds.
Tejaswin Shankar sits third in the decathlon on 5,869 points after seven events, 50 points off the lead.
Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Ankush Panghal secured India's first boxing medal at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on 27 September, defeating Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov in the men's 80kg quarterfinals by a unanimous 5-0 decision at the Nishio Gymnasium. The victory sends Panghal into the semifinals and guarantees at least a bronze for India in the discipline.
How Ankush Dominated the Bout
Ankush controlled the contest for the majority of the three-round fight, showcasing his speed, accuracy, and defensive composure. He swept the first two rounds 5-0 each, connecting sharp right hooks and crisp 1-2 combinations before displaying a fierce left hook in the second stanza to keep Salimov off-balance.
The final scorecards reflected his dominance: four judges scored the bout 29-28 in Ankush's favour, while one gave him a more emphatic 30-27. Salimov grew increasingly desperate in the third round, landing some punches as he chased a knockdown, but the Indian pugilist's disciplined defence ensured there was never any doubt about the outcome. The Tajik took the third round 4-1 — too little, too late.
India's Kurash Contingent Bows Out Early
The day brought disappointment in the Kurash events, where Indian athletes were eliminated in the early rounds. Vishal fell 5-0 to Thailand's Kunathip Yea-On in the men's +90kg quarterfinals, while Sangita Balhara lost 10-0 to the Philippines' Charmea Quelino in the women's -57kg Round of 32.
Bharti was also eliminated in the women's -57kg round of 16, going down to Iran's Tahereh Azarpeivand, and Yash Kumar Chauhan lost 10-0 to Tajikistan's Shakarmamad Mirmamadov in the men's +90kg round of 16.
Tejaswin Shankar Slips to Third in Decathlon
On the athletics track, India's Tejaswin Shankar dropped to third place in the decathlon standings after seven events, accumulating 5,869 points. He trails leader Chen Xinghua of China by 50 points and Japan's Yuma Maruyama — placed second — by 45 points, with three events still to come.
What's Next for India
All eyes will be on Ankush Panghal as he prepares for his semifinal bout, where a win would elevate his medal from bronze to silver or gold. The decathlon's remaining three events offer Tejaswin Shankar a narrow but live window to climb back onto the podium's top two spots.
Point of View
Briefly charitable in the third round. The bigger story is structural: India's boxing programme has struggled to convert Commonwealth gold into Asian Games medals, making this guarantee meaningful beyond the scorecards. Tejaswin Shankar's decathlon position is precarious but not hopeless; three events remain, and a 50-point gap is bridgeable. The Kurash whitewash, however, signals a depth problem in a discipline that Asian rivals — Iran, Tajikistan, Thailand — have turned into a medal factory.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India win a boxing medal at the 2023 Asian Games?
Yes. Ankush Panghal's quarterfinal win over Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov guarantees India at least a bronze medal in the men's 80kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games . He advances to the semifinal, where a further win would secure silver or gold.
What was the scoreline in Ankush Panghal's quarterfinal bout?
Ankush won by unanimous decision 5-0 . Four judges scored the three-round bout 29-28 in his favour, while one gave him a more commanding 30-27 . He swept the first two rounds 5-0 before Salimov took the third 4-1 .
How is Tejaswin Shankar placed in the decathlon at the Asian Games?
Tejaswin Shankar is placed third in the decathlon standings after seven events with 5,869 points . He is 50 points behind leader Chen Xinghua and 45 points behind Japan's Yuma Maruyama , with three events remaining.
How did India's Kurash athletes fare at the Asian Games?
India's Kurash contingent was eliminated early across multiple categories. Vishal lost 5-0 in the men's +90kg quarterfinals, Sangita Balhara lost 10-0 in the women's -57kg Round of 32, and both Bharti and Yash Kumar Chauhan were knocked out in their respective rounds of 16.
Who is Ankush Panghal?
Ankush Panghal is an Indian boxer and the reigning Commonwealth Games champion in the men's 80kg category. His Asian Games quarterfinal win in Aichi-Nagoya marks a significant milestone as it guarantees India's first boxing medal at the current edition of the Games.
