Indian boxing stalwart Deepak Kumar sustained a defeat at the hands of Daniel Asenov at the 52 kg final of the 72nd Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament hosted in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Deepak Kumar stormed into the final with one of the greatest victories of his career, a stunning 4-1 victory over Olympic and world champion Shakhobiddin Zoirov of Uzbekistan in the semi-final.
The Asian silver medallist was high on India’s hopes to clinch a gold in the final against Asenov. However, the Bulgarian pugilist edged out Kumar in the squared circle, narrowly winning the favour of the judges who scored the Asenov 28-29, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.
Regarding his win over Zoirov in the semis, Kumar, who is a Subedar in the Indian Army, was already praised by the Army chief General MM Naravane on Saturday. Now, the Boxing Federation of India also appreciated the pugilist’s journey to the final and clinching a silver.
“The result may not be in favour of #DeepakKumar but the Indian boxer surely won the hearts with his attacking game. A beautiful mix of the uppercut, left jabs and feet movement, a SILVER medal & a dream run at the 72nd Stradja Cup. Kudos,” wrote the official Twitter handle of BFI.
The result may not be in favour of #DeepakKumar but the Indian boxer surely won the hearts with his attacking game. A beautiful mix of the uppercut, left jabs and feet movement, a SILVER medal & a dream run at the 72nd Stradja Cup. Kudos.
🇮🇳 is proud of you. #boxing pic.twitter.com/pOyD41iDiE— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) February 27, 2021
