Priya Ghanghas Celebrates Bronze Medal at Asian Games with Paneer Jalebi
Celebrating a Milestone
Indian boxer Priya Ghanghas is set to indulge in her favorite treat, Paneer Jalebi, as she celebrates winning her first Asian Games medal—a bronze in the women's 60kg boxing category at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. Previously, she had expressed her desire to enjoy Ghevar after clinching gold at the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games, but this time she has opted for a different sweet to commemorate her achievement.
'A Big Deal For Me': Priya Reflects on Her First Medal
In her debut at the Asian Games, the gold medalist from the 2026 Commonwealth Games had to settle for bronze after a semifinal loss to China's Yang Chengyu. Despite her initial hopes for gold, Priya acknowledged the significance of her bronze medal. "I aimed for gold, but winning bronze in my first Asian Games is a big deal for me. I have to be content with this, but I will definitely strive for gold next time," she stated.
Setting Sights on Future Competitions
Looking ahead, Priya is focused on the World Championships scheduled for April. She has already pinpointed areas for improvement following her Asian Games experience. "I recognized some shortcomings. I will work on them and prepare for the World Championship in April. I gained valuable experience with this medal, and I am determined to perform better next time," the 20-year-old boxer remarked.
The Semifinal Encounter
During her semifinal bout against Yang, Priya began with counter-punches as the Chinese boxer came out aggressively. She found some success with combinations midway through the first round, but Yang finished strong, winning the round 3-2 according to the judges' scorecards. Yang maintained her aggressive strategy in the second round, winning it 4-1. In the final round, Priya struggled to land clean punches as Yang's solid defense secured another 4-1 victory, advancing her to the finals.
Dedication and Acknowledgments
Priya dedicated her first Asian Games medal to her supporters in India, stating, "I will dedicate the medal to the Indians." She also expressed gratitude for the support she received through the Khelo India scheme and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which played a crucial role in her journey to the podium. "I was part of the Khelo India scheme before joining the TOPS core team. Their support has been invaluable, and that is why I am here today, winning this bronze medal for my country," she concluded.
Contributing to India's Medal Tally
Priya's bronze medal has added to India's overall medal tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, continuing her impressive performance following her gold at the Commonwealth Games.