The Cologne Boxing World Cup was one of the last highlights of the pandemic season that was played in Cologne, Germany; and in the final held on Saturday night. The Indian boxers put on full performances to finish their campaign with nine medals, including three golds, two silver and four bronzes. The three three gold medals were pocketed by Amit Panghal, Manisha moun and Simranjit Kaur while the Indian boxers successfully completed their 67-day European training and competition campaign.
Germany Update🇩🇪@Boxerpanghal
wins gold, your opponent has stepped back.#SatishKumar he has been injured in his semi-final match and has withdrawn from the final match, on medical advice. Settles for a silver medal#ColoneBoxingWorldCup#boxing # News update pic.twitter.com/OtHbxilooh– Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) December 19, 2020
Five Indian female and eight male boxers entered the Cologne Boxing World Cup following their strong preparations in Italy.
India’s AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship bronze medalist Simranjit Kaur Baath impressed in the semi-finals and competed against Maya Kleinhans in the title fight. The 25-year-old boxer showed quick footwork to beat the German home opponent with clear shots in the final. The Indian successfully reduced the fighting distance against the taller opponent and won the fight by split decision taking the gold medal in the 60kg category.
In the final of the 57kg category, which saw an all-India brawl between Manisha Moun and the two-time AIBA Junior Women’s World Champion Sakshi Choudhary. The young Sakshi tried to land quick blows and outlasted her counterpart in the first round. However, Manisha moved more on his feet from the second round and gave Sakshi no chance before winning the fight 3: 2 in a very close fight. Sakshi finished his campaign with a silver in Cologne.
2018 Asian Games gold medalist and 2019 ASBC Asian Champion Panghal won the men’s flyweight (52kg) free-for-all competition. The 25-year-old Indian defeated one of his main rivals, AIBA World Boxing Championship bronze medalist of France Billal Bennama on his way to the final. His German opponent gave him a walkover in the final.
Indian super heavyweight boxer (+91 kg) Satish Kumar came to an emotional end to his campaign by defeating Frenchman Djamili Dini Moindze in the semi-finals, but unfortunately, he had to retire against German Nelvie Tiafack due to an injury at Shock the top and settle for silver. .
Sonia Lather (57 kg), Pooja Rani (75 kg) Gaurav Solanki (57 kg) and Mohamed Hussamudin (57 kg) took the bronze medal in their respective categories.
Also read: Reduction in the number of boxers at the 2024 Olympics, a blessing in disguise for India?
