Former Commonwealth Games champion boxer Akhil Kumar has expressed his belief in the mental strength of Amit Panghal, who has overcome numerous setbacks to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Despite facing a first-round exit at the Games, Panghal’s journey to the Olympics has been a testament to his resilience and determination.
Panghal’s road to the Olympics has not been easy. After being dropped from the national team due to the evaluation system drafted by the then High Performance Director Bernard Dunne, the young boxer faced a major setback. However, he did not let this defeat discourage him and instead used it as motivation to work harder and prove his worth.
Akhil Kumar, who is a former Commonwealth Games champion himself, believes that Panghal’s experience of battling through tough times has made him one of the mentally strongest Indian athletes competing in the Paris Games. Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of a panel discussion on India’s Olympic prospects, hosted by the Delhi Sports Journalists Association in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, Akhil said, “Amit is in a strong place now because he has made a comeback and seen the tough times in the past few years.”
The snubs and setbacks faced by Panghal severely dented his confidence and made him question his abilities. However, instead of giving up, he used these challenges as fuel to push himself even harder. This determination and mental toughness have been evident in his recent performances, where he has consistently proved himself as one of the top boxers in his weight category.
Panghal’s journey to the Olympics has been nothing short of inspiring. After being dropped from the national team, he had to fight his way back through the trials and prove his worth once again. This not only required physical strength but also mental resilience and determination. And Panghal has shown that he possesses both in abundance.
Despite facing setbacks, Panghal never lost sight of his goal – to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. And when the opportunity finally came, he grabbed it with both hands. His performance at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers was a testament to his mental strength, as he defeated some tough opponents to secure his spot in the Indian boxing team for the Games.
Panghal’s journey to the Olympics has also been a learning experience for him. The setbacks he faced have only made him stronger and more determined to succeed. He has shown that with hard work, perseverance, and a strong mindset, anything is possible.
As India’s lone men’s world championships silver-medallist, Panghal has already made the country proud. And now, as he prepares for the Paris Olympics, he has the chance to make history and bring home a medal for India. With his mental strength and determination, he is undoubtedly one of the strongest contenders in his weight category.
In a country like India, where sports other than cricket often struggle for recognition and support, athletes like Amit Panghal are a ray of hope. They prove that with hard work, dedication, and a never-give-up attitude, Indian athletes can compete with the best in the world and bring glory to the nation.
In conclusion, Amit Panghal’s journey to the Tokyo Olympics is a testament to his mental strength and determination. Despite facing setbacks and challenges, he never gave up and fought his way back to qualify for the Games. As he prepares to compete in Paris, he has the support and belief of the entire nation behind him. And we can be sure that he will give his best and make India proud once again.
