After a heartbreaking setback at the Tokyo Olympics, Indian boxer Amit Panghal is pinning his hopes on both his skills and a bit of luck as he prepares for the Paris 2024 Games. The experience in Tokyo and the subsequent challenges have made Amit Panghal a believer in destiny, a concept he previously dismissed.
“After the Tokyo Olympics, I have started believing in kismat,” Amit Panghal told PTI on Wednesday.
Amit Panghal’s journey to this point has been marked by significant achievements. He once held gold medals from the Asian Games and Asian Championships and made history as the first Indian male boxer to win a silver medal at the World Championships. These accomplishments propelled him to the World No. 1 spot in his weight class, making him a strong medal contender.
However, the Tokyo Olympics brought a dramatic shift in his fortunes. After a pre-quarterfinal exit, Amit Panghal lost his spot in the national team under the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) evaluation system, implemented by then High Performance Director Bernard Dunne. This series of setbacks severely impacted his confidence, leading him to question his abilities.
“Looking at our coaches’ faces, I did not feel that my time would come. But you get what is written in your destiny,” Amit Panghal reflected.
His coach, Anil Dhankar, played a crucial role in keeping his spirits up during this tough period. “How would you feel fine when you want to play and you aren’t being allowed to do so?” Amit Panghal lamented. His opportunity finally came when Deepak Bhoria failed to secure a quota in the 51kg category after two attempts, paving the way for Amit Panghal’s selection for the final qualifying event.
In this high-stakes scenario, Amit Panghal delivered a stellar performance, securing his spot for the Paris Olympics. He now aims to put his Tokyo disappointment behind him and focus on achieving Olympic glory.
“Feeling quite good,” Amit Panghal responded, albeit with a hint of reservation, when asked about his current state of mind.
The last few years have been challenging for the reserved southpaw, who has won medals in major events except for the Olympics. These experiences have reinforced his belief in “kismat.”
“There was no pressure of going into the qualifiers. I was a little scared in the beginning because it was a big tournament,” Amit Panghal admitted. “I was also scared that a head butt doesn’t happen. Whenever I go to play after a long time I am scared that it will happen. It was also the last shot to win a quota.”
Given that he had not competed in international events for nearly three years, Amit Panghal had to address several aspects of his preparation. He learned about his selection barely a month before the event, which required an intense focus on various areas including endurance, rest between bouts, and overall conditioning.
“I worked on everything. I worked on rest, the rest between bouts. And on endurance, because I had not gone to competitions in a while. I was only training and power and strength doesn’t come only in training, and you have to compete as well,” Amit Panghal explained.
Amit Panghal, along with Nishant Dev (71kg), are the only two Indian male boxers to have qualified for the Paris Olympics. As Amit Panghal prepares for the upcoming Games, he carries the hopes of exorcising past disappointments and clinching a medal, driven by a blend of skill and the belief in destiny.
