Asian Games 2026: Ankush Panghal reaches 80kg final, Narender Berwal wins bronze
Synopsis
Ankush Panghal staged a comeback for the ages at Asian Games 2026 in Nishio, overturning a 1-4 first-round deficit to beat reigning 75kg world champion Erkinboev 4-1 — making him the first Indian male boxer in an Asiad final since Amit Panghal's gold in 2018. With Parveen Hooda also through, India have six confirmed boxing medals, their best-ever Asiad haul in the sport.
Key Takeaways
Ankush Panghal beat reigning world champion Fazliddin Erkinboev 4-1 to reach the men's 80kg final at Asian Games 2026 in Nishio .
He is the first Indian male boxer in an Asiad final since Amit Panghal won gold at the 2018 Jakarta Games .
Narender Berwal lost his +90kg semifinal to world champion Aibek Oralbay of Kazakhstan by a unanimous 0-5 decision and takes home bronze.
Parveen Hooda advanced to the women's 65kg final with a 5-0 win over China's Li Shu and faces Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei for gold.
India have confirmed six boxing medals at these Games, surpassing their previous best of five at the Hangzhou Games .
Ankush Panghal delivered a stunning come-from-behind victory over 75kg reigning world champion Fazliddin Erkinboev in the men's 80kg semifinal at the Asian Games 2026 in Nishio on 29 September, marching into the gold medal bout and becoming the first Indian male boxer to reach an Asiad final since 2018. Parveen Hooda also confirmed her place in the women's 65kg final, giving India two confirmed silver medals in boxing at the ongoing Games.
Ankush's Comeback Win Against a World Champion
Ankush Panghal trailed 1-4 at the end of the first round against Erkinboev before staging a remarkable turnaround. He edged the second round 3-2 with his punches landing with increasing accuracy, then dominated the third round 5-0 to seal a 4-1 verdict. Four of the five judges gave him a 29-28 ruling in his favour, with only one judge scoring 28-29 against him.
Ankush's win is historically significant — he is the first Indian male boxer to reach the Asiad final since Amit Panghal claimed gold in the 49kg category at the 2018 Jakarta Games. The feat underlines the growing depth of Indian boxing on the continental stage.
Narender Berwal Settles for Bronze
Narender Berwal was unable to replicate that success in the men's +90kg semifinal, going down to current world champion Aibek Oralbay of Kazakhstan by a unanimous 0-5 decision. Oralbay controlled the bout from the outset, dominating the first round 5-0 with heavy, accurate punches and continuing his aggressive approach through the second round. In the third, Oralbay shifted to a defensive strategy, keeping Narender at bay and closing out a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
Narender, who had won a bronze in the men's +92kg event at the previous Asiad, once again finishes with a bronze. He fought gamely but could not break through against the world champion's power and ring craft.
Parveen Hooda Advances with Dominant Display
Parveen Hooda eased into the women's 65kg final with a comprehensive 5-0 win over China's Li Shu. After edging a close opening round 3-2 on counter-punching, Parveen grew in authority, winning the second and third rounds 5-0 apiece. All five judges voted in her favour, with three awarding her a 29-28 scorecard and two returning a dominant 30-27.
Parveen now faces Chinese Taipei's Chen Nien-chin in the gold medal bout, a contest expected to be fiercely competitive. Chen Nien-chin is regarded as one of the most experienced campaigners in the weight category on the Asian circuit.
India Surpasses Hangzhou Tally with Six Boxing Medals
With these results, India have confirmed six boxing medals at the Asian Games 2026, surpassing the five-medal haul the country registered at the Hangzhou Games. With at least two finals still to be contested, India's boxing contingent is on course for its best-ever Asiad performance in the sport.
The results from Nishio will offer encouragement to Indian boxing administrators ahead of the next Olympic qualification cycle, with multiple medallists now operating at the top tier of Asian competition.
Point of View
Who holds a 75kg world title, suggests genuine elite-level maturity. The more telling detail, however, is institutional: India now has six confirmed boxing medals at a single Asiad, quietly building a depth chart that was not visible even two cycles ago. Narender Berwal's second consecutive Asiad bronze, while creditable, masks the ceiling question — Indian heavyweights have yet to beat a top-tier Central Asian champion at this level. Parveen Hooda's final against Chen Nien-chin will be the clearest test yet of whether India's women's boxing programme can convert consistency into gold.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ankush Panghal and what did he achieve at Asian Games 2026?
Ankush Panghal is an Indian boxer competing in the men's 80kg category. He reached the final of the Asian Games 2026 in Nishio after a remarkable 4-1 come-from-behind win over reigning 75kg world champion Fazliddin Erkinboev on 29 September, becoming the first Indian male boxer in an Asiad final since Amit Panghal's gold at the 2018 Jakarta Games.
What happened to Narender Berwal at the Asian Games 2026?
Narender Berwal lost his men's +90kg semifinal to current world champion Aibek Oralbay of Kazakhstan by a unanimous 0-5 decision and settled for a bronze medal. Oralbay dominated all three rounds with powerful punching, while Narender was unable to break through the Kazakh's defence.
How many boxing medals has India won at Asian Games 2026?
India have confirmed six boxing medals at the Asian Games 2026 in Nishio, surpassing their previous best of five medals at the Hangzhou Games. With finals still to be contested, the tally could rise further.
Who will Parveen Hooda face in the 65kg final at Asian Games 2026?
Parveen Hooda will face Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei in the women's 65kg final at Asian Games 2026. Hooda reached the final with a dominant 5-0 win over China's Li Shu, winning the last two rounds 5-0 each.
When did an Indian male boxer last reach the Asian Games final before Ankush Panghal?
The last Indian male boxer to reach an Asiad final was Amit Panghal, who won gold in the 49kg category at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. Ankush Panghal's 2026 final appearance ends an eight-year wait for Indian men's boxing at this stage.
