Asian Games boxing: Kapil Pokhariya beats Kim Gichae 5-0, seals India's 6th medal
Synopsis
Kapil Pokhariya's flawless 5-0 demolition of South Korea's Kim Gichae — complete with a standing count in the second round — handed India their sixth confirmed boxing medal at the Asian Games. With Lovlina Borgohain and Priya Ghanghas also winning on the same day, India's boxing unit is on a historic run, and Kapil now faces a world champion in the semis.
Key Takeaways
Kapil Pokhariya beat South Korea's Kim Gichae 5-0 in the men's 90kg quarterfinal at Nishio Gymnasium on 28 September .
All five judges ruled in Kapil's favour — four on a 30-27 card, one on a 30-26 card.
The win confirmed India's sixth boxing medal at the Asian Games .
Kapil will face 2025 World Championships gold medallist Turabek Khabibullaev in the semifinal.
Lovlina Borgohain and Priya Ghanghas also won their quarterfinals 5-0 on the same day.
India's boxing medals at these Games also include wins by Ankush Panghal , Parveen Hooda , and Narender from Sunday.
Indian boxer Kapil Pokhariya delivered a commanding 5-0 unanimous victory over South Korea's Kim Gichae in the men's 90kg quarterfinal at the Nishio Gymnasium on Monday, 28 September, guaranteeing India their sixth boxing medal at the Asian Games. All five judges sided with Kapil, with four awarding him a 30-27 scorecard and one returning a 30-26 card.
How Kapil Dominated the Bout
Kapil set the tone from the opening bell, winning the first round 5-0 with precise, powerful punches that found their mark consistently. He carried that momentum into the second round, where he not only maintained his scoring advantage but also forced a standing count against Kim, again taking the round 5-0. Sensing the contest was well in hand, Kapil fought strategically in the third round, conserving energy with selective combinations while protecting his lead and booking his place in the semifinals.
What Awaits in the Semifinal
Kapil will next face Turabek Khabibullaev, the 2025 World Championships gold medallist, in a high-stakes semifinal. The matchup represents a significant step up in class, and a win there would elevate Kapil's medal to at least silver.
India's Stellar Boxing Monday
The 28 September session was a clean sweep for India's boxing contingent. Priya Ghanghas secured a medal in the women's 60kg category with a unanimous 5-0 win over Tajikistan's Mijgona Samadova in the quarterfinals. Lovlina Borgohain also confirmed her medal with an equally dominant 5-0 victory in the women's 75kg quarterfinal against Korea's Seong Suyeon.
Sunday's Medal Haul Sets the Stage
India had already locked in three boxing medals on Sunday, 27 September. Ankush Panghal, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, defeated Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov 5-0 in the men's 80kg quarterfinals to open India's boxing medal account at these Games. Parveen Hooda followed with a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan's Navbakhor Khamidova in the women's 65kg quarterfinal, while Narender rounded off the day with a quarterfinal victory over Thailand's Adthapong Saengtep in the men's +90kg category.
With at least six medals now confirmed and several boxers still in semifinal contention, India's boxing campaign at the Asian Games is shaping up to be one of its most productive in recent editions — and the medal tally could yet climb further before the tournament concludes.
Point of View
They are statements. Kapil's semifinal against a world champion will be the real litmus test, but even if he falls there, the broader picture is of a programme that has moved well beyond dependence on a single star. The question now is whether the infrastructure and funding follow the results, or whether India's boxers continue to overachieve despite the system rather than because of it.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kapil Pokhariya win his Asian Games quarterfinal?
Kapil Pokhariya defeated South Korea's Kim Gichae by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the men's 90kg quarterfinal at Nishio Gymnasium on 28 September. He dominated all three rounds, including forcing a standing count against his opponent in the second round.
Who will Kapil Pokhariya face in the Asian Games semifinal?
Kapil will face Turabek Khabibullaev, the 2025 World Championships gold medallist, in the men's 90kg semifinal at the Asian Games. A win would guarantee Kapil at least a silver medal.
How many boxing medals has India confirmed at the Asian Games so far?
India have confirmed at least six boxing medals at the Asian Games, with Kapil Pokhariya's quarterfinal win being the sixth. Ankush Panghal, Parveen Hooda, Narender, Lovlina Borgohain, and Priya Ghanghas had already secured medals before him.
How did Lovlina Borgohain and Priya Ghanghas perform on 28 September?
Lovlina Borgohain won her women's 75kg quarterfinal 5-0 against Korea's Seong Suyeon, while Priya Ghanghas beat Tajikistan's Mijgona Samadova 5-0 in the women's 60kg quarterfinal — both confirming their respective medals on the same day as Kapil.
What medals did India's boxers secure on Sunday, 27 September?
India secured three boxing medals on 27 September: Ankush Panghal beat Tajikistan's Nekruz Salimov 5-0 in the men's 80kg quarterfinal, Parveen Hooda defeated Uzbekistan's Navbakhor Khamidova 5-0 in the women's 65kg quarterfinal, and Narender won the men's +90kg quarterfinal against Thailand's Adthapong Saengtep.
