Indian boxers shine at Asian Championship: Vishvanath shocks world No. 1, Ankushita advances

In a stunning turn of events at the Asian Boxing Championships, Indian boxer Vishvanath Suresh scripted a memorable upset by defeating reigning world champion and World No. 1 Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan to reach the men’s 50kg semifinals on Saturday.

With his recent victories and a national championship gold at the Elite Men’s National Boxing Championships 2026 , Vishvanath Suresh’s rise signifies a bright future for Indian boxing, particularly for talent emerging from southern India. His technical brilliance and ring intelligence make him a strong contender for podium finishes on the continental and global stage.

Suresh, who trains at the Army Sports Institute , has been steadily making waves in Indian boxing. Hailing from Chennai , he has quickly transitioned from a dominant youth career to the elite senior level, now firmly establishing himself as one of India’s most exciting prospects in the flyweight category. Known for his speed, agility, and tactical acumen , Suresh displayed impeccable ring control, precise combinations, and sharp footwork to outmaneuver the formidable Kazakh champion. Prior to this triumph, he had also secured a convincing 5-0 victory over Bekzat Ergeshov of Kyrgyzstan.

In other action, Ankushita Boro showcased her composure in the women’s 65kg category with a 4-1 win over Kazakhstan’s Laura Yessenkeldi , earning a place in the semifinals. She will face a tough challenge against Nien-Chin Chen of Chinese Taipei, the 2025 World Boxing Finals gold medallist and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist .

The Indian men’s contingent continued their strong run as Narender cruised to a 5-0 victory over Orkhan Aghayev of the UAE, setting up a semifinal clash with China’s Bayikewuzi Danabieke , a decorated boxer with bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Games and 2025 World Championships . Meanwhile, in the men’s 65kg category, Aditya bowed out after a 0-5 loss to Uzbekistan’s Abdulloh Madaminov in the quarterfinals.