Deepak Kumar stuns Olympic champion, in final

New Delhi, February 26

Indian boxer Deepak Kumar produced a scintillating performance to cause a major upset at the 72nd Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, as he outpunched reigning Olympic champion Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov in the men’s 52kg semifinal bout.

Showing great composure in the ring, the Asian Championship silver medallist Deepak produced one the best performances of his career to clinch a thumping 4-1 win against the more fancied Zoirov, who had earlier won the 2019 World Championship title beating star Indian boxer Amit Panghal.

With this sensational victory, Deepak has secured a place in the final and will aim to clinch the gold medal.

However, former youth world champion Jyoti Gulia (51kg) and Bhagyabati Kachari (75kg) bowed out of the women’s competition. India’s challenge in the women’s draw has come to an end without anyone managing to secure a medal. In the men’s draw, Manjeet Singh (+91kg) also made his exit. — PTI