Goal is to qualify for Olympics: Narender Berwal
Indian heavyweight boxer Narender Berwal celebrates his Asian Games bronze medal and sets his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Indian boxing contingent has returned to New Delhi to a hero's welcome following a historic campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Among the triumphant athletes is heavyweight boxer Narender Berwal, who secured a bronze medal in the men's +90kg category, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Eyes on Los Angeles 2028
Reflecting on his achievement, Berwal expressed immense pride in his performance and the support system behind him. While the bronze is a prestigious honor, the heavyweight pugilist is already looking toward a much larger stage.
"The feeling is really good. Now my goal is to qualify for the Olympics. The credit goes to the whole staff. In my opinion, we delivered our best performance right at the start," Berwal stated upon his arrival.
Berwal's journey to the podium included a tough semifinal clash against the reigning world champion, Aibek Oralbay of Kazakhstan. Despite a spirited effort, Berwal lost the bout by a unanimous decision. Reports indicated that Oralbay's experience allowed him to dictate the tempo of the fight, utilizing a strategic combination of body shots and head punches to secure the win.
A Golden Era for Indian Boxing
Berwal is part of a larger wave of success for the Indian boxing squad. The team saw stellar performances from several athletes, including:
- Lovlina Borgohain: Gold Medalist
- Parveen Hooda: Gold Medalist
- Ankush Panghal: Gold Medalist
In total, India concluded the Asian Games boxing campaign with a record-breaking haul of six medals: three gold and three bronze. This marks the country's best-ever performance in terms of gold medals won at this multi-sport event.
BFI President Hails Phenomenal Achievement
Ajay Singh, the President of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), lauded the contingent for outperforming traditional boxing powerhouses. He noted that India's ability to surpass nations like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and China is a testament to the evolving landscape of Indian boxing.
Singh attributed this success to a comprehensive preparation strategy, which includes:
- The inclusion of overseas sparring partners to increase intensity.
- Increased exposure to high-level international championships.
- A highly positive and professional environment within the training camps.
"I think it's a phenomenal performance, the best-ever performance by Indian boxing contenders in the Asian Games," Singh remarked, emphasizing the consistent efforts of the coaches, support staff, and the athletes themselves.