Daijiworld Media Network - Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar, Mar 31: Indian boxers delivered a mix of commanding victories and closely fought battles on the opening days of the Asian Boxing Championships 2026, signaling a promising campaign.

In the women’s 60kg division, Priya showcased a composed and controlled performance to secure a unanimous 5-0 victory over Rimma Volossenko of Kazakhstan. Demonstrating tactical discipline throughout the bout, Priya advanced comfortably to the next round.

She is set to face Chengyu Yang of China, the second seed in the category, in what is expected to be a high-intensity contest.

In the men’s 55kg category, Jadumani Singh delivered a spirited performance against top-seeded Rui Yamaguchi of Japan. Despite a strong showing, Jadumani narrowly lost 2-3 in a split decision. Yamaguchi entered the bout as a favourite, backed by a silver medal at the Astana event and a bronze at the Boxing World Cup Finals.

Jadumani, however, matched his opponent closely, making it one of the most competitive bouts of the day.

Earlier, on Day 1, Indian boxers Preeti Pawar and Deepak set the tone with impressive wins.

Competing in the women’s 54kg category, Preeti— a gold medallist at the World Boxing Cup Finals—secured a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision over Elina Bazarova, a former Asian U22 champion.

In the men’s 70kg category, Deepak edged past Khavasbek Asadullaev of Uzbekistan with a narrow 3-2 split decision, displaying composure in a tightly contested bout.

With a blend of decisive victories and gritty performances, the Indian contingent has made a solid start, with each bout playing a crucial role as the competition progresses toward the medal rounds.