Greater Noida, Nov 16 (NationPress) - World Champion Minakshi, Preeti, Ankush Phangal, and Narender Berwal propelled India to a remarkable beginning as all four clinched medals with commanding victories on Day 1 of the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025. The tournament features only the world's top eight boxers in each category, and the Indian contingent dominated the opening round, securing their places in the semifinals and ensuring podium finishes at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.

In a competition exclusive to elite athletes, each match demanded utmost precision and poise, and the Indian team rose to the challenge with exceptional skill. World Championships Liverpool 2025 gold medallist Minakshi (48kg) set the stage early on, controlling a high-paced match against Kazakhstan’s Bolat Akbota right from the opening bell with clean and precise strikes. Preeti (54kg) followed suit with an equally thrilling performance, using her agility and sharp combinations to outclass Uzbekistan’s former Youth World Champion Nigina Uktamova in an aggressive display.

Later, Ankush Phangal (80kg) showcased one of the day’s most composed performances, absorbing initial pressure before elevating his game with astute combination tactics. He found openings with precision, delivering impactful blows that kept Japan’s Go Wakaya at bay en route to a unanimous victory. In the 90+kg category, Narender Berwal exhibited a resilient and commanding performance—overcoming a cut above his eye with disciplined defense and powerful body-head combinations to clinch a decisive 4:1 win over Ukraine’s Andrii Khaletskyi.

On Day 2, India's elite men's team will take center stage, featuring three high-stakes matchups in Session 2 at 2 PM. Pawan Bartwal (55kg) will kick off the day against Kazakhstan’s Altynbek Nursultan, the World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 gold medallist and an emerging force in the division. Following him, Sumit (75kg) will face off against Korea’s Kim Hyeon-tae, a formidable and physically imposing opponent recognized for his counter-pressure style. In the 90kg quarterfinal, Naveen Kumar will meet Kazakhstan powerhouse Tangatar Bekzat.

Session 3, scheduled for later in the evening, will showcase two of India’s most awaited matchups. World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 medallist Jadumani Singh (50kg) will battle against Kazakhstan’s Ongarov Nurzat, a fast-emerging talent making waves both internationally and domestically. The day’s highlight will feature Hitesh (70kg) going head-to-head with top seed Sewon Okazawa, the 2022 Asian Games medallist and one of the most technically advanced boxers in the competition, promising to be a standout contest of the opening rounds.

Elsewhere on Day 1, the global field delivered a series of powerful performances suitable for a top-eight world tournament. Poland’s Wiktoria Rogalińska overwhelmed Ukraine’s Inna Statkevych (5:0) to advance in the women’s 54kg category, while Uzbekistan’s Aziza Zokirova triumphed with an impressive 5:0 victory over Nigeria’s Patricia Mbata in the women’s 70kg. In the men’s category, Ukraine’s Elvin Aliiev and Uzbekistan’s Adkhamjon Mukhiddinov were precise in their respective 65kg quarterfinals, each winning 5:0, followed by Kazakhstan’s Begaliyev Sanzhar-Ali and Australia’s Marlon Sevehon, who achieved dominating victories in the 80kg category. Uzbekistan’s Khalimjon Mamasoliev also advanced convincingly in the 90+kg division with a sweeping 5:0 result.