Ankush Panghal sealed the men’s 80‑kg title at the Asian Games, winning the opening round 4‑1, the second 5‑0, and the final 4‑0 for a flawless verdict.
The real pivot came in the second round when judges gave him a unanimous 5‑0, a flash‑point that made the rest of the bout a walk‑through. Panghal, breathing in the roar, said, “I felt the rhythm, kept the jab tight, and the crowd’s energy pushed me.”
That same evening, Lovlina Borgohain broke a 12‑year drought, defeating China’s Ziyi Bao 5‑0 in the 75‑kg final, while Parveen Hooda edged Chen Nien‑chin 3‑2 in a razor‑thin split decision. The trio’s triumphs turned a single day into a historic hat‑trick of gold medals for India.
India’s boxing squad has already surpassed the four‑medal haul of the previous edition, and with nine medals in 2010, this haul of three golds marks the best performance since then. The collective success puts India firmly at the top of the Asian Games boxing table.
Next up for the Indian team is the 2027 World Championships, where they’ll aim to convert the momentum into world‑level glory.