Nishio (Japan): Indian boxers Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal clinched gold medals at the Asian Games on Friday, defeating more fancied opponents in contrasting performances.
Parveen edged past Chinese Taipei's former world champion and Paris Olympic bronze medallist Chen Nien-chin 3-2 in a split decision in the women's 65kg final to claim her maiden Asian Games title.
Ankush then defeated South Korea's Kim Minseong 4-0 in the men's 80kg final to become the first Indian male boxer since Amit Panghal in 2018 to win an Asian Games gold medal.
The two victories followed Lovlina Borgohain's gold in the women's 75kg category, giving India three boxing gold medals at the continental event.
Lovlina and Parveen also ended a 12-year wait for Indian women boxers to win Asian Games titles, joining legendary MC Mary Kom in the select group of Indian women champions at the event.
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Parveen's victory marked a notable return after she lost her 2022 Asian Games bronze medal following a whereabouts failure under anti-doping rules.
The Indian contingent finished the boxing competition with 6 medals, including 3 golds, its best-ever gold-medal tally in boxing at the Asian Games.
India's best overall medal haul at the continental event came at the 2010 Guangzhou Games, where it won 9 medals comprising 2 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze.
For Parveen, the victory over Chen, a former world champion and Olympic medallist, capped a comeback after the setback at the 2022 Games.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)
