Greater Noida, Nov 16 (IANS) World Champion Minakshi, Preeti, Ankush Phangal, and Narender Berwal powered India to a flawless opening as all four secured medals with dominant wins on Day 1 of the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025. With the tournament restricted to only the world\u2019s eight top boxers in each category, the Indian quartet swept through the opening round to enter the semis, guaranteeing podium finishes at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
In a field reserved exclusively for world-level contenders, every bout demanded precision and composure, and the Indians rose to the occasion with clinical authority. World Championships Liverpool 2025 gold medallist Minakshi (48kg) set the tone early, dictating a high-tempo bout against Kazakhstan\u2019s Bolat Akbota from the first bell through clean and accurate punching. Preeti (54kg) followed with an equally electrifying display using quick feet and sharp combos to overwhelm Uzbekistan\u2019s former Youth World Champion Nigina Uktamova in a fully attacking performance.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, Ankush Phangal (80kg) produced one of the day\u2019s most composed performances, soaking up early pressure before shifting gears with clever combination play. Finding openings with precision, he landed telling blows to keep Japan\u2019s Go Wakaya at bay en route to a unanimous win. In the 90+kg division, Narender Berwal delivered a gritty, authoritative performance\u2014pushing through a cut above his eye with disciplined defence and powerful body-head combinations to secure a strong 4:1 victory over Ukraine\u2019s Andrii Khaletskyi.<\/p>\n
Day 2 will see India\u2019s elite men\u2019s contingent storm into action, with three high-stakes bouts lined up in Session 2 at 2 PM. Pawan Bartwal (55kg) opens the day against Kazakhstan\u2019s Altynbek Nursultan, the World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 gold medallist and one of the division\u2019s rising forces. He will be followed by Sumit (75kg), who takes on Korea\u2019s Kim Hyeon-tae, a well-rounded, physically imposing contender known for his counter-pressure style. In the 90kg quarterfinal, Naveen Kumar meets Kazakhstan powerhouse Tangatar Bekzat.<\/p>\n
Session 3, scheduled for later in the evening, brings two of India\u2019s most anticipated matchups. World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 medallist Jadumani Singh (50kg) squares off against Kazakhstan\u2019s Ongarov Nurzat, a fast-rising prospect who has been making waves both internationally and at home. The day\u2019s marquee clash features Hitesh (70kg) against top seed Sewon Okazawa, the 2022 Asian Games medallist and one of the most technically polished boxers in the field, promising to be one of the defining contests of the opening rounds.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere on Day 1, the global field delivered a series of emphatic performances befitting a top-eight world tournament. Poland\u2019s Wiktoria Rogali\u0144ska dominated Ukraine\u2019s Inna Statkevych (5:0) to advance in the women\u2019s 54kg bracket, while Uzbekistan\u2019s Aziza Zokirova won with a commanding 5:0 scoreline against Nigeria\u2019s Patricia Mbata in the women\u2019s 70kg. In the men\u2019s draw, Ukraine\u2019s Elvin Aliiev and Uzbekistan\u2019s Adkhamjon Mukhiddinov were clinical in their respective 65kg quarterfinals, each winning 5:0, before Kazakhstan\u2019s Begaliyev Sanzhar-Ali and Australia\u2019s Marlon Sevehon earned decisive victories in the 80kg category. Uzbekistan\u2019s Khalimjon Mamasoliev also progressed authoritatively in the 90+kg division with a sweeping 5:0 result.<\/p>\n
\u2013IANS<\/p>\n
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