Ankush Panghal rallies from 0-5 deficit to claim Commonwealth Games men’s 80kg gold

Ankush Panghal overturned a 0-5 deficit to defeat England’s Dimeji Shittu and capture the Commonwealth Games men’s 80kg title. The comeback victory was a key moment in India’s most successful boxing campaign at the Games.

Competing in the final of the men’s 80kg division, Panghal faced Dimeji Shittu of England and found himself trailing by 0-5 early in the bout. He recovered to take the win and the gold medal in the final. India finished the boxing competition with a haul of seven gold and three silver medals, with the women’s squad alone contributing five gold medals to that total.

Panghal’s final began with the English boxer holding a 0-5 edge, but the Indian fighter shifted momentum as the contest progressed. The turnaround in the ring allowed Panghal to close the gap and eventually secure the victory over Shittu. The result awarded him the men’s 80kg gold medal and capped a dramatic match.

The triumph in the men’s 80kg final added to an already strong showing by India across the boxing schedule. Panghal’s win contributed directly to the country’s overall tally of seven golds and three silvers in boxing at the Commonwealth Games. The distribution of medals included a standout performance from India’s women boxers, who obtained five of the seven gold medals.

Panghal’s recovery from a 0-5 disadvantage was described as a remarkable comeback victory and provided one of the more striking scenes of the boxing programme. Facing Dimeji Shittu in the final, he managed to overturn the early deficit and claim the title for his weight class. That resilience under pressure defined the closing stages of the bout.

The medal count underlines the depth India displayed in the ring during the Games, with boxers across categories contributing to the seven gold and three silver finishes. The women’s contingent, in particular, supplied five gold medals as part of the national total. Panghal’s gold in men’s 80kg helped consolidate India’s overall success in the sport at the event.

Panghal’s comeback and ultimate gold-medal finish will stand out as a memorable highlight from the Commonwealth Games boxing competition. The victory not only earned him the men’s 80kg crown but also played a part in India posting its most successful boxing campaign at the Games, with seven golds and three silvers overall.