After Tokyo setback, Amit Panghal banking on both skills and luck to win in Paris

NEW DELHI: Amit Panghal had never put much faith in the concept of fate until he faced a disappointing defeat at the Tokyo Olympics and the ensuing hardships. As he navigated through this difficult period, Panghal came to the realisation that in order to secure a medal at the Paris Games, he would require not only his remarkable abilities but also a touch of "kismet" or luck.
"After the Tokyo Olympics I have started believing in kismet," Panghal told PTI on Wednesday.
Panghal, a name once synonymous with excellence in Indian boxing, found himself at the peak of his career, adorned with gold medals from the Asian Games and Asian Championships. His crowning achievement was a historic silver at the World Championships, making him the sole Indian male boxer to attain such a feat.
His exceptional performances propelled him to the coveted world number one ranking in his weight category, establishing him as a strong contender for an Olympic medal.
However, fate had a different plan in store for Panghal. His Olympic aspirations were shattered following a devastating pre-quarterfinal exit. To add to his woes, he lost his position in the national team based on the Boxing Federation of India's evaluation system, which was formulated by the then High Performance Director, Bernard Dunne.
The constant rejections dealt a severe blow to Panghal's self-assurance, causing him to doubt his own capabilities and question his future in the sport he once dominated.
"Jo humare foreign coaches unka muh dekh kar toh nahi lag raha tha mere samay aayega par kismat mein hota hai toh sabko milta hai (Looking at our coaches' faces, I did not feel that my time would come. But you get what is written in your destiny)," Panghal said.
During this challenging phase, his coach, Anil Dhankar, played a pivotal role in motivating him.
"Acha toh kya hi lagega uss time. Jab aapko khelna hain aur khelne hi nahi diya jaa raha hai. (How would you feel fine when you want to play and you're not being allowed to do so)."
However, his time eventually arrived. After Deepak Bhoria failed to secure a quota in the 51kg category after two attempts, Panghal was selected for the final qualifying event.
This opportunity represented his first and only chance to qualify for the Olympics, and he seized it with aplomb. In Paris, he will undoubtedly be eager to exorcise the ghosts of a disappointing Tokyo Games.
"Feeling quite good," Panghal said half-heartedly when asked how was the feeling.
After enduring a challenging few years, the reserved southpaw, who has secured medals in all major events except the Olympics, has emerged as a firm believer in "kismet".
"There was no pressure of going into the qualifiers. I was a little scared in the beginning because it was a big tournament.
"I was also scared that a head butt doesn't happen. Whenever I go to play after a long time I am scared that it will happen. It was also the last shot to win a quota."
With rare participation in international events over the last three years, Panghal had to address numerous aspects of his game, especially considering that he learned about his selection barely a month before the event.
"I worked on everything. I worked on rest, the rest between bouts. And on endurance, because I had not gone to competitions in a while. I was only training and power and strength doesn't come only in training, and you have to compete as well.
"I got to know less than one month before the tournament that I have been selected to play. I did not know if I'd be able to go. I used to be involved in training."
Panghal and Nishant Dev (71kg) are the sole two Indian male boxers who have secured a spot for the Paris Olympics.
(With PTI inputs)