Overview
Amit Panghal is an Indian amateur boxer who competes in the light flyweight and flyweight categories. A serving member of the Indian Army, he has represented India at the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, and the AIBA World Boxing Championships, and is regarded as one of the country's leading boxers in the lower weight divisions.
Key facts
| Name | Amit Panghal |
|---|---|
| Sport | Boxing (amateur) |
| Weight categories | Light flyweight (49 kg); Flyweight (51/52 kg) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Home state | Haryana |
| Native village | Mayna, Rohtak district, Haryana |
| Affiliation | Indian Army |
| Stance | Southpaw |
Background
Panghal hails from the village of Mayna in the Rohtak district of Haryana, a state that has produced a significant number of India's international boxers and wrestlers. He took up boxing in his youth and later joined the Indian Army, which has supported his training and competitive career through its sports programmes.
Career
Asian and continental competition
Panghal won the gold medal in the men's 49 kg category at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, defeating Uzbekistan's Hasanboy Dusmatov, the reigning Olympic champion in that weight class, in the final. He has also been a multiple-time medallist at the AIBA Asian Boxing Championships in the light flyweight division.
World Championships
At the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Panghal won the silver medal in the 52 kg category, becoming the first Indian male boxer to reach a final at the senior World Championships.
Commonwealth Games
Panghal won a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, in the light flyweight division. He returned to win further honours at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in the flyweight category.
Olympic Games
He represented India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021) in the men's flyweight (52 kg) event, entering the competition as one of the top-seeded boxers in his category.
Style and significance
A southpaw known for his footwork, counter-punching and ring craft, Panghal has been a key figure in India's strong showing in the lighter male weight categories during the late 2010s and early 2020s. His silver at the 2019 World Championships marked a milestone for Indian men's boxing at the senior global level.
Honours and recognition
- Arjuna Award for boxing, conferred by the Government of India.
- Gold medal, 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta–Palembang (49 kg).
- Silver medal, 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships, Yekaterinburg (52 kg).
- Medallist, Commonwealth Games (2018 and 2022 editions).
- Multiple medals at the Asian Boxing Championships.
Related topics
- Boxing in India
- Boxing Federation of India
- India at the 2018 Asian Games
- India at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships
- Arjuna Award
- Sports in Haryana
References
- Boxing Federation of India, athlete records.
- International Boxing Association (AIBA/IBA) competition results.
- Olympic Council of Asia, 2018 Asian Games results.
- Commonwealth Games Federation, official results archives.