Indian boxer Sakshi Chaudhary bowed out of the Asian Games 2026 after suffering a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to Kazakhstan’s Balkibekova in the women’s 51kg category on Thursday, while Parveen advanced to the quarter-finals after receiving a walkover.
Sakshi and Balkibekova remained closely matched through the bout, with neither boxer able to establish a decisive advantage. The Kazakh fighter increased the pressure in the final round, forcing Sakshi onto the back foot and landing a sharp undercut to the Indian’s jaw.
Sakshi responded by moving forward and attempting to close the distance. She connected with a quick hook, but Balkibekova immediately answered with a clean jab and continued to use her movement to keep the Indian boxer at range.
The competitive contest went down to the judges, with Balkibekova eventually edging Sakshi 3-2 to bring the Indian’s campaign to an end.
In another women’s boxing bout, Parveen progressed to the last eight without taking to the ring after Tajikistan’s Malika Nozimova conceded a walkover.
Parveen will face Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova in the quarter-finals as she continues her bid for a place in the medal rounds.
Earlier, India’s Sumit Kundu was forced out of the men’s 70kg competition after a knee injury brought his round-of-16 bout against Iraq’s Ali Al-Sarray to an early conclusion.
Kundu made a strong start and used his height and reach effectively to take the opening round. He maintained his advantage in the second round, edging it 3-2 despite a determined response from Al-Sarray.
However, the Indian boxer began struggling with his movement after slipping when the third round got underway. With Kundu unable to continue because of the knee injury, the referee stopped the contest, ending his campaign.
The results left India with Parveen as the remaining Indian boxer among the three competitors involved in the day’s bouts, with her quarter-final scheduled against Khamidova.
