Kapil Pokhariya Advances in Boxing at Asian Games 2026

Kapil Pokhariya's Impressive Victory

Indian boxer Kapil Pokhariya has successfully progressed to the quarterfinals in the men's 91kg division after a decisive win against Iran's Sam Estaki during the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday.

Kapil showcased an outstanding performance, achieving a 5-0 victory in a match that was largely one-sided. He began the bout with confidence, taking charge from the first round and winning it 4-1. Despite Estaki's height advantage, Kapil effectively landed more impactful punches and controlled the fight's tempo.

Continuing his momentum into the second round, Kapil once again outshone his Iranian rival, earning a unanimous 5-0 score from the judges. In the final round, Estaki struggled to mount a challenge, while Kapil maintained his composure and secured a comfortable win.

Upcoming Quarterfinal Match

With this victory, Kapil has advanced to the quarterfinals, where he is set to face the winner of the match between South Korea's Kim Gichae and Pakistan's Irfan Khan on September 28.

Jadumani Singh's Journey Ends

In a contrasting outcome, Indian boxer Jadumani Singh's journey at the Asian Games 2026 came to an end after he lost to Carlo Paalam from the Philippines in the men's 55kg round of 16 on Saturday. The match concluded with a split decision (3-0) in favor of Paalam.

Paalam started strong, utilizing his speed to put Jadumani under pressure in the opening round. Although Jadumani managed to land a few jabs and apply pressure, Paalam's counter-attacks allowed him to finish the round with a 5-0 lead, as all judges scored it 10-9 in his favor.

The second round turned into a tactical exchange, with both boxers searching for openings. Paalam maintained his lead, leaving Jadumani needing a significant comeback in the final round. In the last three minutes, both fighters adopted an aggressive strategy after an initial defensive phase, trading punches in a physically taxing finish. However, Paalam's early advantage proved to be crucial.

Ultimately, Paalam secured the match with a 3-0 split decision, concluding Jadumani's campaign at the Asian Games. With this win, Paalam moves forward in the men's 55kg boxing competition.