Focus on strong start & endurance: Panghal

BOXER Amit Panghal was at the peak of his prowess heading into the Tokyo Olympics.

- ANMOL GURUNG

With experience, he had displayed his problem-solving abilities inside the ring to outwit some of the best in the business in his weight division (51kg). The fact that he was the No 1 seed going into that event was a clear indicator. However, what unfolded was nothing short of a disaster as he was shown the dreaded exit door in his very first bout (second round).

In the aftermath, he was facing an existential crisis. After occupying the coveted World No 1 spot, he was very quickly reduced to India No 2. That narrative persisted for most of this ongoing Olympic cycle and it was only natural that his confidence was taking a hit.

"What can I say... I was not getting a chance. I could only mull over it, 'what am I lacking, what can I do to represent my country and return with a medal.' I just used to get lost in thoughts, what else could I have done then?," he said, while reflecting on the testing times post Tokyo Games.