“I was confident that yes, I have to win the final somehow.” — Ankush Panghal

Ankush Panghal, just 21 years old, walked into the record books on Friday by winning India’s first gold medal in men’s boxing at the ongoing Asian Games. The Haryana boy faced Minseong Kim of South Korea in the men’s 80kg final and secured a lopsided victory.

He decimated his opponent and won the gold medal bout with a scoreline of 5-0. Before Ankush’s gold, India had bronze medals in men’s boxing at the Asian Games 2026.

As he spoke to reporters in the mixed zone, it was clear it would take time for the whole thing to sink in. I haven’t thought about it yet,” said Ankush. “I will go home and see what I have to do.”

He spoke about his preparation, the sparring he did with the Iranians and Dominicans in India. “It does make a difference, it improves the game and you get to know how the opponent will come,” said Ankush.

Ankush had beaten the world number one in the semi-final. Did it give him the confidence that the final was going to be his? “I was confident that yes, I have to win the final somehow. Absolutely. I just wanted to do my best,” the youngster exuded confidence.

He spoke about Lovlina Borgohain and Praveen Hooda’s gold medal earlier in the day, which gave him the momentum. He spoke about Amit Pangal as well, the pugilist, who won the gold medal for India in 2018. Another gold medal in men’s boxing at the Asian Games came eight years later.

“Yes, he is my elder brother,” said Ankush. “I used to talk to him, I used to hug him. In 2018, Amit bhai did it and this time I had to do it.”

Amit and Ankush aren’t related by birth. They are ‘blood brothers’.

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