Picture Credit: Twitter
Ankit Narwal, one of India's promising young boxers, bowed out of the Elorda Cup 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan on Tuesday after losing his first bout in the 63.5kg category. The 20-year-old, who had won a bronze medal at the 2021 Youth World Championships, faced a tough challenge from local favourite Sultan Mussinov and suffered a 0-5 defeat.
Only Haryana-born boxer Narwal competed on the first day of the competition, which included 16 Indian fighters in both the male and female divisions. He made an effort to equal the aggression and talent of his opponent but was unable to overcome the Kazakh boxer's superior skill and knowledge.
Some of the top boxers from Asia and Europe have travelled to compete in the famous Elorda Cup 2023. The competition, which runs from June 27 to July 4, offers prize money of USD 700 for the gold medallists in each weight group, USD 400 for the silver medallists, and USD 200 for the bronze medallists.
Notably, India had a successful outing at the previous edition of the tournament in 2022, winning 14 medals, including two gold, two silver and 10 bronze.
On Wednesday, six more Indian boxers will begin their campaign at the Elorda Cup 2023. In the women's section, former World Championships silver medallist Sonia Lather (57kg) will take on Viktoriya Grafeyeva of Kazakhstan, while Shvinder Singh Kaur (50kg) will face Turapbay Gulnar of Kazakhstan and Poonam (60kg) will square off against Issayeva Shakhnaz of Kazakhstan.
In the men's section, Zoram Muana (51kg), Hemant Yadav (71kg) and Sanjay (80kg) will also start their respective campaigns. Muana will meet Nurbolat Kuandyk of Kazakhstan, Yadav will clash with Yerassyl Zhakpekov of Kazakhstan and Sanjay will lock horns with Maksim Kots of Ukraine. The semi-finals of the tournament will be held on July 1 and with the finals on July 4.
