Narender Berwal storms into Asian Games semis, India secures 3rd boxing medal
Synopsis
Narender Berwal's two-minute first-round stoppage win over Thailand's Adthapong Saengtep sealed India's third boxing medal at the Asian Games — and set up a tantalising semifinal clash with World Champion Aibek Oralbay. With Ankush Panghal and Parveen Hooda also through, India's boxing contingent is having its best Asian Games in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Narender Berwal advanced to the men's +90kg semifinals at the Asian Games after stopping Thailand's Adthapong Saengtep in the first round at Nishio Gymnasium on 27 September .
Berwal's berth confirms India's third boxing medal of the ongoing Games; he next faces World Champion Aibek Oralbay .
Ankush Panghal beat Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov 5-0 in the men's 80kg quarterfinals to secure another medal.
Parveen Hooda defeated Uzbekistan's Navbakhor Khamidova 5-0 in the women's 65kg quarterfinals, confirming a medal.
Sachin Siwach , the Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallist , lost the men's 60kg quarterfinal 0-5 to Japan's Shunsuke Kitamoto , with the final scorecards reading 29-28 .
India's Narender Berwal stormed into the semifinals of the men's +90kg boxing event at the Asian Games, confirming a medal after a dominant quarterfinal victory over Thailand's Adthapong Saengtep at the Nishio Gymnasium on 27 September. In the same session, Sachin Siwach bowed out of the men's 60kg category, beaten by Japan's Shunsuke Kitamoto by a unanimous decision.
Narender's Clinical Knockout Display
Berwal wasted no time imposing himself, dispatching Saengtep inside two minutes of the first round. The Indian landed a series of precise, heavy punches that forced the referee to step in after Saengtep received two standing counts. The bout was stopped on the third intervention, handing Narender a resounding victory.
A 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist and Commonwealth Games 2026 silver medallist, Narender now faces a formidable challenge in the semifinals — reigning World Champion Aibek Oralbay stands between him and a maiden Asiad final.
India's Third Boxing Medal of These Games
Narender's semifinal berth is India's third confirmed boxing medal at the ongoing Asian Games. Ankush Panghal, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, had earlier assured India of their first boxing medal of the edition by defeating Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov in the men's 80kg quarterfinals by a unanimous 5-0 decision. Ankush controlled all three rounds, with Salimov managing to take only the final round before the result was sealed.
In the women's draw, Parveen Hooda also booked a medal by defeating Uzbekistan's Navbakhor Khamidova — a 2025 World Championships silver medallist — by a 5-0 unanimous verdict in the women's 65kg quarterfinal. Parveen used her reach and speed to control the bout from the outset, relying on quick combinations and counter-attacks to win on all five judges' scorecards.
Sachin Siwach Bows Out After Spirited Fight
Sachin Siwach, the Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallist, suffered a 0-5 unanimous loss to Japan's Shunsuke Kitamoto, a 2025 World Championships bronze medallist, in the men's 60kg quarterfinal. Sachin lost the first two rounds 1-4 and 0-5 respectively, but showed resilience by taking the third round 4-1. The late rally was not enough, with the final scorecards reading 29-28 in favour of the Japanese boxer.
What Is at Stake in the Semifinals
With three medals already secured, India's boxing contingent will look to Narender, Ankush, and Parveen to convert their semifinal appearances into gold-medal bouts. Narender's clash against World Champion Oralbay will be the stiffest test, and a victory would mark a significant step up from his Hangzhou bronze two years ago. The results from these semifinals will shape India's final boxing medal tally at the Games.
Point of View
Parveen, and Narender represent depth, not a single outlier. Sachin Siwach's exit, though disappointing, came against a genuine world-level contender and does not diminish what is shaping up as India's most productive Asian Games boxing campaign in recent memory. The question now is whether any of the three medallists can convert a semifinal win into gold — something Indian boxing has consistently stopped short of at this level.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Narender Berwal confirm a medal at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes, Narender Berwal confirmed a medal by reaching the semifinals of the men's +90kg event at the Asian Games after defeating Thailand's Adthapong Saengtep by a first-round stoppage on 27 September. He will face World Champion Aibek Oralbay in the next round.
Why did the referee stop Narender Berwal's quarterfinal bout?
The referee stopped the contest after Thailand's Adthapong Saengtep received two standing counts from Narender's heavy punches and was deemed unable to continue. The stoppage came inside two minutes of the first round.
How many boxing medals has India confirmed at the Asian Games so far?
India has confirmed three boxing medals: Narender Berwal in men's +90kg, Ankush Panghal in men's 80kg, and Parveen Hooda in women's 65kg — all three reaching the semifinals. Sachin Siwach in 60kg was the only Indian boxer to exit at the quarterfinal stage.
How did Sachin Siwach lose his Asian Games quarterfinal?
Sachin Siwach lost the men's 60kg quarterfinal to Japan's Shunsuke Kitamoto by a unanimous 0-5 decision, with the final scorecards reading 29-28 in favour of Kitamoto. Sachin won the third round 4-1 but could not overcome a two-round deficit.
Who is Aibek Oralbay, Narender Berwal's semifinal opponent?
Aibek Oralbay is the reigning World Champion in the +90kg boxing category and represents the toughest test Narender has faced at these Games. A win over Oralbay would take Narender to his first-ever Asian Games final, surpassing his bronze-medal finish at the 2023 Hangzhou edition.
