Asian Games: Parveen Hooda bags India's second boxing gold of the day

Indian boxer Parveen Hooda won gold in the women's 65 kg final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, defeating Chinese Taipei's Chen Nien-Chen. This followed Lovlina Borgohain's gold, taking India's medal tally to 73.

Parveen Hooda's Redemption Gold in Boxing

Indian boxer Parveen Hooda secured the second boxing gold of the day for India, defeating Chinese Taipei's Chen Nien-Chen in the final of the women's 65 kg event at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Friday. Parveen secured the gold medal by 3-2 via split decision, making it the second gold for the nation in boxing after Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain's women's 75 kg gold. After having lost her 2022 Asian Games bronze due to a doping whereabouts failure, this win over a former world champion for a gold marks a massive redemption for the Indian, as per ESPN. This is India's 73rd medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with 13 golds, 25 silver medals and 35 bronze medals.

The Indian was cautious in the start and, despite some jabs from her opponent, managed to make some counter-punches, and both pugilists exchanged some 1-2s. Parveen also got a few body shots while Chen delivered a fast right hook. India took the first round 5-0.

In the second round, Parveen kept her distance against the opponent well and made a good use of her reach to land a few punches and breach Chen's defence. However, Chen managed to fight back and took the second round. In the final round, the Chinese Taipei boxer landed a few jabs as the Indian looked careful. Parveen also managed to get some quick 1-2s, and the match got close. Chen tried a few desperate punches, only to be met by counter-punches from Parveen, who eventually won the close clash 3-2 via split decision.

Bronze for Men's Sepaktakraw Team

Earlier, India's sepaktakraw team got a reason to rejoice at the back end of the Asian Games 2026 campaign as the men's quadrant secured a bronze medal after a defeat to Japan in the semifinal of their event. The Indian men's quadrant of Malemnganba Singh Sorokhaibam, Ram Kumar Sharma, Bobby Kumar and Akash Yumnam secured the bronze, losing 0-2 (12-15, 13-15) to Japan in the semis, as per ESPN.

This marks India's third medal in sepaktakraw at the Asian Games, having previously won two bronze medals: in the men's team regu in the 2018 edition in Jakarta and the 2022 edition bronze in the women's team regu event. The Indian quadrant enjoyed a great run to the medal, beating the World Cup winners Myanmar in the group stage and making sure that the contingent did not return home empty-handed.

Historic Gold for Women's Recurve Archery Team

Earlier, to start off the day, India produced a stunning upset in women's recurve archery as Kumkum Mohod, Ankita Bhakat and Kirti Sharma defeated South Korea 5-3 in the gold medal match at the Asian Games 2026 on Friday to claim the country's first-ever medal in the discipline at the continental showpiece. The Indian trio held their nerve against the dominant South Korean side, with 17-year-old Kumkum emerging as the star of the final and delivering two crucial 10s in the closing stages to seal a historic victory, according to ESPN.

Silver for Mixed Recurve Archery Team

Kumkum Mohod and Dhiraj Bommadevara settled for silver in the mixed recurve archery team event at the Asian Games 2026 after losing 3-5 to China's Zhu Jingyi and Li Mengqi in the gold-medal match.

Lovlina Borgohain Wins Gold on Birthday

Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain celebrated her 29th birthday in memorable fashion as she defeated China's Bao Ziyi 5-0 in the women's 75kg final to win the gold medal on Friday.

Nethra Kumanan Sails to Bronze

Indian sailor Nethra Kumanan secured the bronze medal in the women's dinghy event at the Asian Games 2026 on Friday, adding another medal to India's sailing haul at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. Nethra recovered strongly in the second and final race of the finals after a difficult opening race to finish on the podium. She ended level on points with Hong Kong's Stephanie Louise Norton, but her superior head-to-head results against Norton gave her the bronze medal. The medal adds to India's impressive performance in sailing at the Asian Games, with Indian sailors having already won medals in the men's and women's skiff events.

Men's Recurve Team Bags Silver

In the third recurve archery medal of the day, India secured a silver medal in the men's recurve team event at the Asian Games 2026 after losing 1-5 to South Korea in the final here on Friday, adding another medal to a memorable day for the country's archers. Dhiraj Bommadevara, Yashdeep Sanjay Bhoge and Neeraj Chauhan were unable to replicate the women's team's earlier upset over South Korea, as the Koreans' consistency under pressure proved decisive, according to ESPN. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)