Amit Panghal qualifies for semifinals of Asian Boxing Championships

Defending champion Amit Panghal (52kg) advanced to the semifinals and assured himself of a second successive medal at the Asian Boxing Championships after overcoming a stiff challenge from Mongolia's Kharkhuu Enkhmandakh in the last-eight stage here on Wednesday. With this India's tally of assured medals swelled to 13.

The World Championship silver-winning Indian won 3-2 in a high-octane contest in which he overcame a sluggish start and used his combination punches to telling effect in the last two



rounds.

After being somewhat bested in the opening three minutes, the Army man's trademark pace came to fore in the second round as he cleverly dodged his rival's aggressive attempts at connecting.

The Mongolian produced some fine body punches to unsettle Panghal but took quite a few hits on the counter-attack.

Late on Tuesday night, Sanjeet (91kg), Sakshi (54kg), Jaismine (57kg) and the Olympic-bound Simranjit Kaur (60kg) joined Shiva Thapa (64kg) in the last four stage following wins in their quarterfinal bouts.