CM Fadnavis Hails India's Double Boxing Gold at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis congratulated Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal for winning gold medals in Women's 65kg and Men's 80kg Boxing at Asian Games 2026, calling it 'India's Golden Punch' and a moment of immense national pride.
Key Takeaways
Parveen Hooda won gold in the Women's 65kg Boxing category at Asian Games 2026 .
Ankush Panghal won gold in the Men's 80kg Boxing category at the same Games.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis publicly congratulated both athletes on October 2, 2026 .
Fadnavis described the twin victories as 'India's Golden Punch' and a moment of 'immense pride for the entire nation.' The wins contribute to Team India's medal haul at the Asian Games 2026 under the #Cheer4Bharat campaign.
Two Indian boxers climbed to the top of the podium on Friday, October 2, 2026 — and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was quick to salute the moment. Parveen Hooda claimed gold in the Women's 65kg Boxing category and Ankush Panghal sealed gold in the Men's 80kg Boxing category at the Asian Games 2026, delivering a proud double for Team India on the same day.
Hooda and Panghal deliver for India in the ring
Fadnavis took to X to offer his congratulations, calling it 'India's Golden Punch' and citing the athletes' 'grit, determination and exceptional skill in the ring.' He credited their 'hard work, fighting spirit and dedication' as the forces behind a victory he described as 'a moment of immense pride for all of us and the entire nation.' Two golds. One day. A statement.
What the double gold means for Indian boxing
Indian boxing has steadily built its reputation on the Asian circuit, producing a generation of athletes who compete with discipline and tactical intelligence. A double gold at a single Asian Games — across both the women's and men's draws — underlines the depth of the national programme. Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal now carry their names into that lineage, their performances in the 65kg and 80kg weight classes respectively adding significant gloss to India's overall Games tally.
The victories arrive under the #Cheer4Bharat and #TeamIndia banner that has become the rallying identity for Indian sport on the continental stage — a reminder that gold in boxing lands with a particular weight back home, where the sport carries deep grassroots roots across states like Haryana, which has long been a breeding ground for national-level boxing talent.
Point of View
Linking athletic triumph to a day of national reflection. The visibility given to boxers like Hooda and Panghal — who come from grassroots, non-metropolitan backgrounds — also signals an inclusive sporting nationalism that the ruling dispensation has consciously cultivated. Double golds in boxing at a single continental Games, if sustained, will inevitably intensify calls for greater state-level investment in combat sports infrastructure.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Parveen Hooda?
Parveen Hooda is an Indian boxer who won gold in the Women's 65kg category at the Asian Games 2026, drawing national attention and congratulations from senior political figures including Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Who is Ankush Panghal?
Ankush Panghal is an Indian boxer who claimed gold in the Men's 80kg Boxing category at the Asian Games 2026, completing a double gold haul for India in boxing on October 2, 2026.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The specific host city of the Asian Games 2026 was not confirmed in the available information at the time of this report.
What did CM Devendra Fadnavis say about the boxing golds?
Fadnavis called it 'India's Golden Punch' and praised Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal for their 'grit, determination and exceptional skill in the ring,' describing the victories as a moment of immense national pride.
How many boxing golds did India win at Asian Games 2026 on October 2?
India won two boxing golds on October 2, 2026 — one through Parveen Hooda in the Women's 65kg event and one through Ankush Panghal in the Men's 80kg event.
