Amit Panghal (51kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (women’s 57kg) recorded fine victories in their respective quarterfinal bouts to earn two more quota places on the concluding day of the second World Olympic boxing qualifier in Bangkok on Sunday.
With three quota places, including that of Nishant Dev (71kg), from the last qualifier, the country sealed six boxing berths in Paris 2024. Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) had claimed three in the Asian Games.
Jaismine, a reserve in 60kg for the Bangkok qualifier, was asked to cut down three kg to fit into 57kg in India’s bid to reclaim the quota after Parveen Hooda lost it about two weeks ago due to her whereabouts failure.
READ | Amit Panghal’s road to Paris 2024 Olympics
The lanky Jaismine gave a clinical performance to outsmart Mali’s Marine Camara 5-0 to reclaim the quota in style.
In a battle between southpaws, Jaismine, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, maintained her composure and range to execute head and body shots well. Her nimble footwork, especially while stepping back, helped her avoid Marine’s blows and launch counterattacks on her way to victory.
Amit spectacularly rallied to beat Chinese Liu Chuang 5-0 to make it to his second consecutive Olympics.
The 28-year-old Armyman moved in to connect some clean lefts but the taller Chuang countered well to land punches from a distance and take the first round 4-1.
The experienced Amit increased the volume of punches, with some powerful left blows which pushed the Chinese back, to convincingly win the second round and ensure a slender 1-0 lead.
With Chuang boxing from a close range, the two were engaged in a rapid exchange. Amit used his fast hands to good effect to unanimously win the final round and book a ticket to Paris.
Sachin Siwach (57kg) put up a strong challenge before losing 5-0 to Kyrgyzstan’s Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu in a box-off for a quota.
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