Debutant Akash Kumar (54kg) secured India's first medal at the ongoing AIBA World Men's Boxing Championships here on Tuesday after advancing to the semifinals with a superb win over former Olympic silver-medallist Yoel Finol Rivas of Venezuela.
The 21-year-old Akash, who is a reigning national champion, prevailed 5-0 in a fabulous performance during which his punching and showmanship were simply outstanding. The fearless youngster scored on counter-attacks with a non-existent guard and taunted his opponent, all this while staying out of his range with terrific pace and footwork.
The Services boxer, who is a product of the Army Sports Institute in Pune, lost his mother to a lung infection in September and competed in the national championships unaware of the tragedy.
His father died more than a decade back after initiating him to boxing and his younger brother is in jail in connection with a murder case.
On Tuesday, Akash became only the seventh Indian male boxer to secure a world championship medal and is also assured of a prize money of at least USD 25,000.
Rivas had originally won a bronze in the Rio 2016 Olympics.