Mandi’s Jamwal bags gold medal, best boxer award at Nationals

Himachal boxer Avinash Jamwal has brought laurels for the state by winning a gold medal and bagging the best boxer award in the men’s National Boxing Championship held at Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh from January 7-13.

Jamwal, who hails from Mandi, out-punched top boxers from Haryana, Services and Railways to win a gold medal in the 65-kg category and the best boxer award.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have won the gold and best boxer award. We have won gold in the Nationals after a long time, so I am really proud and happy to have ended the medal drought,” said Jamwal. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has congratulated Jamwal for his big achievement.

Meanwhile, the state boxing association is also thrilled with the achievement of Jamwal. “It’s a big moment for the state boxing. It’s the first time a boxer from the state has been declared the best boxer in the Nationals,” said SK Shandil, Secretary, State Boxing Association.

“Jamwal defeated the defending champion from Services in the preliminary round. He also got the better of Olympian Shiva Thapa. He was very impressive in all his bouts and that’s why he was adjudged the best boxer of the championship,” said Shandil.

The secretary further said that six other boxers from the state made it to the quarterfinal round in the championship.