Ankush Panghal from the Subhash Chandra Foundation Boxing Training Center created history by winning the men’s 80kg boxing gold medal at the Asian Games 2026Here’s everything you need to know.
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Ankush Panghal celebrates after winning the men’s 80kg boxing gold at Asian Games 2026(Photo: IANS)
Indian boxer Ankush Panghal added another major achievement to his growing career by winning the men’s 80kg gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-NagoyaThe 21-year-old from Haryana defeated South Korea’s Kim Minseong 4-0 in the final to finish his campaign with the top prize.
Panghal, who trains at the Subhash Chandra Foundation Boxing Training Center in Gangwa village, has made a strong name for himself in Indian boxingHis Asian Games gold is also his second major international title of 2026 after he won gold at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.
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Ankush Panghal controls Asian Games final
Panghal looked in control against Kim from the start of the finalHe used his quick movement, sharp punches and counter-attacking skills to stay ahead and secure a 4-0 victory on the judges’ cards.
His road to the final had also tested his ability to handle pressureIn the quarterfinals, Panghal defeated Tajikistan’s Nekruz Salimov 5-0He then faced Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Erkinboev in the semifinal and produced a comeback to win 4-1.
From Hisar to the Asian Games podium
Born in Haryana’s Hisar district, Panghal started his boxing journey at a young age and gradually moved through the junior and senior levelsHis training at the Subhash Chandra Foundation Boxing Training Center in Gangwa has been an important part of his development.
The boxer’s recent results show how quickly his career has moved forwardHe won silver at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals before claiming gold at the Usti nad Labem Grand Prix in 2026He then delivered another strong performance at the Commonwealth Games, where he won the 80kg title.
BFI President hails India’s boxing success
Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh also praised the Indian boxing contingent after its strong campaign at the Asian Games 2026He highlighted the team’s consistency and said the results provide a strong base ahead of the Olympics.
“This is what consistency at the highest level looks like,” Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh said“Seven gold medals at the Commonwealth Games followed by our best-ever haul of three golds at the Asian Games reflect the strength of the systems and processes we have builtFinishing at the top of the boxing medal table against Asia’s strongest nations gives us a strong foundation as we prepare for the OlympicsI congratulate our boxers, coaches, support staff and the BFI team for their relentless work and commitmentOur focus now is on building on this momentum and translating it into Olympic success.”
PM Modi praises Ankush Panghal
The Prime Minister also congratulated Ankush Panghal after the Indian boxer secured gold in the men’s 80kg category with a dominant 4-0 victory over South Korea’s Minseong Kim at the Nishio Gymnasium.
“Congrats to Ankush on winning the Men’s 80kg Boxing Gold at the Asian Games with an emphatic victory in the finalHis passion and dedication are noteworthyHis success ensures that India’s boxing campaign at the Asian Games ends on a great note,” Modi said.
Another big win after Commonwealth gold
Panghal’s Commonwealth Games final was a major testHe trailed England’s Dimeji Shittu 0-5 after the opening round but fought his way back into the contest and eventually won 4-1.
The Asian Games victory now gives Panghal two major gold medals in the same yearHis latest success also added to India’s strong boxing campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, with Panghal joining Lovlina Borgohain and Parveen Hooda as Indian boxing gold medallists at these Games.
For Panghal, the Asian Games title marks another important step in a rapid rise that has taken him from training in Haryana to winning major international boxing titles for India.
