Asian Games 2026: India wins third gold in a day, jumps to fifth place in medal tally

Mangalore Today News Network

Nagoya, Oct 2, 2026: India clinched gold medals in the men’s 80kg boxing, women’s 65kg boxing and men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling events at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

In the women’s 65kg boxing final, India’s star boxer Parveen Hooda defeated former world champion Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei 3-2 via a split decision to win the gold medal. She became the third Indian woman boxer to win an Asian Games gold medal.

In the men’s 80kg boxing category, Ankush Panghal also struck gold. After making an impressive comeback in the semifinals, where he defeated Uzbekistan’s reigning 75kg world champion Fazliddin Erkinboev 4-1, Panghal beat South Korea’s Kim Min-seong in the final to claim the gold medal.

In men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling, emerging wrestler Sujeet Kalkal staged a remarkable comeback to win gold. He trailed Tajikistan’s Abdulmajid Kudiev 2-9 in the final but scored eight consecutive points to turn the bout around and secure the title. It was India’s first gold medal in wrestling at these Asian Games.

India won five gold medals on Friday alone, helping the country climb from eighth to fifth place in the medal standings.

India’s overall medal tally has now reached 75, comprising 15 gold, 25 silver and 35 bronze medals.