Narender Berwal Secures Silver at Asian Games 2026
Indian boxer Narender Berwal secures silver in the +90kg category after a tough semifinal loss to Kazakhstan's Aibek Oralbay at the Asian Games.
Indian boxer Narender Berwal has clinched a silver medal in the men's +90kg category at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Despite a spirited performance, the Indian pugilist fell short in his semifinal clash against Kazakhstan's reigning world champion, Aibek Oralbay, losing by a unanimous decision on Tuesday.
A Battle of Wills in the Ring
The match was a high-stakes encounter that saw the Indian boxer struggle to find his rhythm against the seasoned Oralbay. The Kazakh champion utilized a tactical approach, dominating the bouts with a lethal combination of body shots and precision punches to the head. While Narender showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the opening round with effective counter-punches, the judges awarded the round 5-0 to Oralbay.
As the contest moved into the second round, the pressure intensified. Supported by a vocal home crowd, Oralbay maintained his offensive momentum. Narender attempted to fight back with increased intent, successfully connecting with a powerful right hook, yet the Kazakhster remained in control, securing another 5-0 round decision.
Final Round Drama and Standing Count
The final round saw a significant shift in momentum as Narender adopted an aggressive stance, landing more frequent punches. In response, Oralbay shifted his strategy toward defensive movement and evasion. However, the Kazakh boxer managed to land several heavy blows that forced the referee to issue a standing count to the Indian boxer.
Ultimately, Oralbay's ability to manage the final round allowed him to secure a unanimous-decision victory, booking his ticket to the gold-medal match. For the 31-year-old Indian Army Subedar, this silver medal adds to his growing international tally, following his silver-medal success at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
India's Growing Medal Tally
Narender's achievement brings India's total medal count at the Asian Games 2026 to 48, consisting of 5 gold, 21 silver, and 22 bronze medals.
While the boxing action for Narender has concluded, India remains in contention for more gold in the ring:
- Ankush Panghal: Advanced to the men's 80kg gold-medal bout after a 4-1 victory over Uzbekistan's Fazliddin Erkinboev. He will face South Korea's Kim Min-Seong for the top spot.
- Parveen Hooda: Secured her place in the women's 65kg final after a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision win against China's Li Shu. She will face Chinese Taipei's Chen Nien-chin in the gold-medal showdown.