Boxer Amit Panghal nominated for Arjuna award
Asian Games 2018 gold medalist, Amit Panghal won hearts with a superb show in Indonesia. Amit was the shining light of an otherwise disappointing campaign of the Indian boxing contingent at the Games. It was earlier reported that Amit might not be eligible for the Arjuna award, but now he has been nominated by the Boxing Federation of India. Here's more on the same.
Amit honored to be nominated for Arjuna award
Amit is the third athlete to be nominated by the BFI. He joins Sonia Lather and Gaurav Bidhuri, who were earlier nominated for the prestigious award. "I am honored to be nominated, I can't describe how happy I am. My medal is talking for me and that is what I have always wanted," the 22-year-old Amit told the PTI.
Why was Amit expected to miss nomination?
Earlier, according to a report in the Hindustan Times, it was stated that Amit is likely to miss out owing to a doping suspension six years ago. The boxer was banned for two years in 2012 after testing positive for an anabolic steroid. He went on to appeal against the verdict and brought it down to one year.
Amit had violated rule unknowingly during youth level days
It has been learnt that since Amit has already served the punishment and the incident happened while he was competing at the youth level, the BFI went ahead with his nomination. Amit had also stated that he had, unknowingly, taken a medicine prescribed by a doctor after being diagnosed with the chicken pox.
Amit the lone boxing gold medalist at Asian Games
Amit had defeated former Olympic champion, Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan, by a split decision in the final of the 49kg category. He was a lone boxer to win the gold at the Games.
