Indian boxer Amit Panghal qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

India's boxer Amit Panghal has qualified for the Olympics for the first time in his career. He booked a berth for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 after entering the semi-finals of Asian Qualifiers in Amman

Amman (Jordan): World silver medallist and top seed Amit Panghal (52kg) qualified for his maiden Olympics after edging out familiar foe Carlo Paalam of Philippines in the quarter-finals of the Asian Qualifiers for boxing in Amman on Monday (March 9).

The top-seeded Indian, who is the reigning Asian Games and Asian Championships gold-medallist, prevailed in a 1-4 split verdict against Paalam.

Panghal had earlier beaten him in the semi-finals of the 2018 Asian Games and the quarterfinals of the 2019 world championships.

However, former junior world champion Sakshi Chaudhary (57kg) failed to secure an Olympic berth after going down to Korea's Im Aeji in the quarter-finals.

The 19-year-old Chaudhary lost 0-5 to Im, who is also a former world youth champion. Only the semi-finalists are entitled to an Olympic berth in the women's 57kg category of the ongoing event. Her next shot at Tokyo qualification would be the world qualifiers in May, provided she is selected for it.

Im will face Japan's 19-year-old Irie Sena, who upstaged world champion and top seed Nesthy Petecio of Philippines in a split decision. Petecio was docked a point for holding in the second round which ultimately played a decisive role in her 2-3 loss.

In another quarter-final bout, Manish Kaushik (63kg) will fight third seed Chinzorig Baatarsukh of Mongolia for a spot in the Olympics. Baatarsukh is a 2018 Asian Games silver medallist, besides being a two-time podium finisher at the Asian Championships.