Priya Ghanghas Wins Gold at Commonwealth Games 2026, Celebrates with Sweets
Priya Ghanghas' Historic Victory
Indian boxer Priya Ghanghas has achieved a significant milestone in her career by securing the gold medal in the women's 60kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026. She expressed her excitement about finally indulging in sweets after months of strict dietary control.
A Hard-Fought Final
In a closely contested final, Priya triumphed over Canada's Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh with a 4-1 split decision, marking her as one of the gold medallists in India's remarkable boxing performance in Glasgow. After the match, Priya shared, "Winning a gold medal for my country in my debut Commonwealth Games is an incredible feeling. Celebrations are happening everywhere, both in the village and at home. Managing weight is crucial in boxing, so I had to avoid sweets. Now, I can finally enjoy sweets, Jalebis, and since it's Ghevar season, I plan to indulge in that as well. I dedicate this medal to my entire nation."
The Journey to Gold
The championship match was intense, with both competitors exchanging powerful punches. Despite showing signs of fatigue, Priya maintained her aggressive approach and landed enough clean hits to secure the victory from four out of five judges.
Her path to the gold medal was impressive, featuring a comeback against Scotland's Niamh Mitchell in the quarter-finals after losing the first round, followed by a dominant 5-0 win over England's Lucy Kings-Wheatley in the semi-finals.
Record-Breaking Achievement for Indian Boxing
Priya's victory marked her as the fourth gold medallist for India in boxing at the Glasgow Games, helping the nation surpass its previous record of three golds in a single Commonwealth Games. Ultimately, India concluded the event with a historic total of seven gold medals and two silvers in boxing.
Celebrations in Dhanana Village
Back in Dhanana village, located in Haryana's Bhiwani district, the atmosphere was jubilant following Priya's win. Family and villagers celebrated with firecrackers. Her father, Mahendra, expressed pride, stating, "Our daughter has won a gold medal. The village is filled with joy, and we will give her a warm welcome. She enjoys churma, kheer, curd, and milk, and I believe she will win gold at the Olympics. Every parent should encourage their children to pursue sports and work hard."
Her mother, Meera, added, "I am overwhelmed with joy that Priya has won a medal for our country; the happiness is immense. We will host a grand welcome for her upon her return."
India's Medal Count at the Games
India's overall medal tally at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games has reached 39, comprising 13 gold, 17 silver, and nine bronze medals, placing the country fourth in the medal standings. Australia leads the table with a total of 149 medals.