Ankush Panghal, after a shaky first round, turned the tide against world champion Fazliddin Erkinboev, bulldozing a 4-1 victory in the men’s 80kg semifinal at the Asian Games.
Erkinboev had dominated the opening round, grabbing four judges’ cards. Panghal replied in the second, winning 3-2, but it was the third that sealed it—five clean punches, a 5‑0 unanimous verdict.
The win propels Panghal into the final where he will face a top contender, while India’s medal tally climbs further. Fans in New Delhi are chanting his name, hoping for another gold.
With the final scheduled for tomorrow, Panghal must keep his composure and stay focused on the finish line, while the rest of the Indian squad gears up for the remaining bouts.