Preeti Pawar, Deepak open India's campaign with strong wins at Asian Boxing Championships 2026
Ulaanbaatar, March 30
India's Preeti Pawar and Deepak made an impressive start at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 in Mongolia, registering hard-fought victories against quality opposition on Monday.
In the women's 54kg category, Preeti Pawar, gold medallist at the World Boxing Cup Finals, delivered a commanding performance to secure a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Kazakhstan's Elina Bazarova, a former Asian U22 champion (2025), according to a BFI release.
Against a highly accomplished opponent, Preeti's clinical win marked a strong statement to open her campaign.
In the men's 70kg category, Deepak, silver medallist at the Boxam Elite International 2026 and a bronze medallist at the Asian Youth Boxing Championships 2022, delivered a composed performance to edge past Uzbekistan's Khavasbek Asadullaev with a 3-2 split decision win.
Facing an opponent from Uzbekistan, a nation widely regarded as a powerhouse in amateur boxing, Deepak showed tactical discipline and resilience to come through a closely contested bout.
With two wins from two bouts, the Indian contingent made a perfect start to its campaign in the opening phase of the tournament.
The Asian Boxing Championships 2026 features some of the best boxing talent from across the continent, with early-round matchups often proving as challenging as the later stages due to the depth of competition.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So proud of our boxers! It's heartening to see Indian athletes performing consistently on the Asian stage. The depth in women's boxing especially has grown so much. Hope they keep this momentum going and bring home multiple medals. Jai Hind!
Excellent wins, but let's not get carried away. These are early rounds. The real test comes in the quarters and semis against the likes of China, Thailand, and the Philippines. The federation must ensure our boxers have the best support staff and recovery facilities in Mongolia. No compromises.
Watching from Canada! Deepak's split decision win sounds like a real nail-biter. Beating an Uzbek boxer requires immense mental strength. Wishing the entire Indian team the very best. The future of Indian boxing looks bright.
Baap re! A 5-0 unanimous decision? Preeti ma'am just dominated. That's the kind of performance that sends a message to the entire competition. Hope the media gives these champions as much coverage as cricket. They truly deserve it.
These victories are a result of the system finally working. Better coaching, exposure trips, and scientific training are paying off. A respectful suggestion though: BFI should work on getting more live streaming options for fans in India. We want to watch our heroes fight!
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