Preeti, Deepak Give India a Winning Start at Asian Boxing Championships 2026

Indian boxers Preeti Pawar and Deepak got off to a winning start at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 on Monday, showcasing contrasting yet impressive performances in the early rounds of the tournament.

In the women’s 54kg category , Preeti Pawar , an Asian Games bronze medallist , delivered a commanding display to defeat Kazakhstan’s Elina Bazarova , a former Asian U22 champion (2025) , with a 5-0 unanimous decision . Against a highly accomplished opponent, Preeti’s clinical performance underlined her intent and set a strong tone for her campaign in the continental event.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 70kg category , Deepak , who won silver at the Boxam Elite International 2026 and a bronze at the Asian Youth Boxing Championships 2022 , eked out a narrow 3-2 split decision victory against Uzbekistan’s Khavasbek Asadullaev . The closely contested bout highlighted Deepak’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

The Asian Boxing Championships 2026 feature some of the best talent from across the continent, with early-round matchups often proving as challenging as later stages due to the depth of competition. India’s strong start through Preeti and Deepak provides momentum and optimism as the team progresses in the tournament.

Both victories are expected to boost India’s medal prospects and underline the growing strength of the country’s boxing contingent on the Asian stage. The championship continues over the coming days, promising more exciting encounters among Asia’s top boxers.