India, Sept. 27 -- Ankush Panghal delivered a commanding performance on his Asian Games debut, securing India's first boxing medal at the ongoing competition. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist defeated Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov 5-0 by unanimous decision in the men's 80kg quarterfinal on Sunday, booking his place in the semifinals and guaranteeing himself at least a bronze medal. Panghal controlled the contest from the opening bell, using sharp combinations and effective movement to keep Salimov under pressure while limiting the Tajik boxer's opportunities to land clean counters.

Panghal took all three rounds on the judges' scorecards, maintaining his composure even as Salimov tried to change the pace of the fight. After establishin...