Tokyo Olympics: Indian Boxers Face Tough Draws; Bye for Amit Panghal and 3 others

India will be sending 9 pugilists to the Tokyo Olympics this year, of which all are seeded in the top 10, in the hopes of improving India’s medal record. On the men’s side, the team will comprise of world no. 1 Amit Panghal, Vikas Krishnan, Ashish Kumar, Satish Kumar and Manish Kaushik. Mary Kom, Simranjit Kaur, Pooja Rani and Lovlina Borgohain round out the women’s team.

As the boxing draws were out yesterday, India faces tough competition in the early stages of the Tokyo Olympics. Amit Panghal, the current world no. 1 has received a bye in the first round. He will compete in the last round of the 16 stage, against the winner of the match between Botswana’s Mahommed Rajab Otukile and Colombia’s Yuberjen Herney Rivas Martinez. Martinez was the Rio Olympics Champion and will be the one to look out for.

Satish Kumar was another male boxer who got a bye, and will directly compete in the pre quarter finals. He will go up against Jamaica’s Ricardo Brown. If he wins he will face tough competition, going up against top seeded Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan who is also the reigning world champion.

Manish Kaushik on the other hand, will go up against Luke McCormack of Great Britain in the opening round. If he bags a win he will step into the ring against third seed Cuban Andy Cruz in the last 16 stage.

Ashish Kumar will be making his debut at the Olympics against China’s Erbieke Touheta in the opening round. After that, he will be up against Brazilian third seed Hebert Sousa in the pre quarter finals.

Finally, Vikas Krishnan will take on Japan’s Mensah Okazawa in the opening round on Saturday. If he is successful, he will fight the third seeded Roniel Iglesias, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist.

Mary Kom faces Tough Draw in the Opening Round of the Tokyo Olympics

On the women’s side, Mary Kom has a tough draw, and will be up against Dominica’s Miguelina Hernandez on Day 2 of the Tokyo Olympics. If she wins, Mary Kom will be up for some tough competition, as she takes on third seeded Ingrit Lorena Victoria Valencia. Valencia is the 2016 Olympic bronze-medallist.

Pooja Rani will be up against Algeria’s Ichrak Chaib in her opening round. If successful, she will take on China’s second seed Li Qian. Lovlina Borgohain received a bye in her first round, and will directly fight Germany’s Nadine Apetz in her opening clash.

Simranjit Kaur has also received a bye, and will not compete in the first round. She will be making her Olympic debut against Thailand’s Sudaporn Seesondee in the pre-quarters.

Men’s Draws at the Tokyo Olympics:

Women’s Draws at the Tokyo Olympics:

Also read: India at Tokyo Olympics: Meet the Indian Boxing Contingent

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