Indian boxer Amit Panghal ranked world no. 1 for Tokyo Olympics


Indian boxer Amit Panghal ranked world no. 1 for Tokyo Olympics

Amit Panghal

In bolstering news for India’s Tokyo Olympics dream, ace boxer Amit Panghal gets the top billing in the men’s flyweight (52 Kg) category by IOC’s Boxing Task Force (BTF) on Saturday.

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Out of the nine Indian boxers who will be competing in Tokyo, Panghal is the only one to receive the top billing by BTF. This news came just 27 days before the Tokyo Olympics commence and is sure to spur the spirits of the national contingent selected for the Olympic Games.

How would the top-ranking benefit Amit Panghal at Tokyo Olympics?

Amit Panghal ranked number 1 at Tokyo Olympics
Amit Panghal

The announcement of Indian boxer Amit Panghal reaching the world no.1 spot in the men’s flyweight (52 kilograms) category less than a month before the Tokyo Olympics has given wings to the hopes pinned by Indian fans for a great show at the Games.

The numero uno position will surely benefit the 25-year-old boxer in Tokyo. It will help Panghal secure a favourable draw where he is unlikely to face any strong challenge before the quarter-final bout. The top-8 seeds in Tokyo wouldn’t meet before the quarters, leaving the reigning Asian Games champion to focus on his two matches in Round of 32 and 16. In the Round of 64, he’s likely to be accorded a bye based on his top billing.

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The top spot is also a validation for Amit Panghal’s match consistency. This is the second time, the World Championships silver medallist has been ranked no. 1 in less than 15 months. He had attained the top ranking ahead of the Asian Olympics qualifier in Amman, Jordan in March 2020. Now as per the rankings released before the Tokyo Olympics, Amit Panghal has held on to his top position.

He has become the second Indian boxer after Vijender Singh to achieve the world no. 1 spot. Singh reached the top ranking in the middleweight category in 2009 after securing the World Championships bronze medal.

Also Read: Countdown to Tokyo Olympics: Know your Olympian – Amit Panghal