Nishant, meanwhile, sustained his run in the tournament with a 5-0 unanimous decision win over home favourite Peerapat Yeasungnoen. The Indian is now just one win away from securing a Paris 2024 Olympics quota in his category.
So far, India have secured three Paris 2024 Olympic boxing quotas through Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (women’s 75kg), two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (women’s 50kg) and Preeti Pawar (women’s 54kg).
However, as National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes’ participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
India have fielded seven men and three women for the second World Olympic Qualifier to try and obtain more quotas.
At the Thailand meet, three quotas are up for grabs in the women’s 60kg, men’s 57kg and men’s 80kg divisions. The men’s 63.5kg and 71kg divisions each have five quotas on offer while the remaining nine categories have four each.
Ankushita, hence, will need two more wins to obtain a quota.
Indian boxers drew a blank at the first World Boxing Qualification Tournament held in Busto Arsizio, Italy in March.
Earlier in the day, national champion Arundhuti Choudhary began her campaign with a clinical 5-0 victory against Stephanie Pieneiro of Puerto Rico to make the pre-quarterfinals.
Berwal’s campaign, however, ended after a narrow 3-2 loss against Ecuador’s Gerlon Gilmar Congo Chala.
The Asian Games bronze medallist started slow in the first round and failed to make up ground in the next two despite a valiant effort.
On Thursday, Sachin Siwach (57kg) will look to seal his quarter-final berth against Batuhan Ciftci of Turkey. Commonwealth Games champion Amit Panghal (51kg), Sanjeet (92kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (women’s 57kg) will start their campaign after having received a bye in the opening round of their respective weight categories.