Parveen Hooda delivered a memorable performance at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning the gold medal in the women’s 65kg boxing category on October 2.
Hooda defeated Chen Nien-Chen of Chinese Taipei in a closely contested final. The Indian boxer secured the victory through a 3-2 split decision, adding another gold medal to India’s campaign at the continental sporting event.
Hooda’s Journey to the Final
Parveen Hooda booked her place in the final on September 29 after producing a convincing performance against China’s Li Shu.
She won the semifinal by a 5-0 unanimous decision, with all five judges scoring the contest in her favour. That result set up the title clash against Chen Nien-Chen.
The final proved considerably closer, but Hooda managed to edge the contest and finish at the top of the podium.
What Does a Split Decision Mean?
In boxing, a split decision occurs when the judges do not agree unanimously on the winner.
In Hooda’s final, the 3-2 decision reflected the close nature of the contest, with three judges favouring the Indian boxer while two scored the bout for her opponent.
A Significant Achievement for Indian Boxing
Hooda’s victory adds another major achievement to India’s women’s boxing record at the Asian Games.
She became the third Indian woman boxer to win an Asian Games gold medal, joining MC Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain on the list of Indian women who have achieved the feat.
Hooda’s Previous Suspension
Hooda’s career has also included a difficult period away from competition. In May 2024, the International Testing Agency (ITA) announced a 22-month suspension after three whereabouts failures recorded between April 2022 and March 2023.
The suspension resulted in the loss of her Asian Games 2023 bronze medal and a Paris 2024 Olympic quota.
Her gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya therefore marks a significant return to the international podium.
Parveen Hooda Asian Games 2026 Gold: Key Facts
- Athlete: Parveen Hooda
- Sport: Boxing
- Category: Women’s 65kg
- Medal: Gold
- Opponent in final: Chen Nien-Chen
- Final result: 3-2 split decision
- Semifinal opponent: Li Shu of China
- Semifinal result: 5-0
- Venue: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
- Date: October 2, 2026
Parveen Hooda’s victory has become one of the notable highlights of India’s boxing campaign at the Asian Games 2026, as the Indian contingent continues its push for more medals across different sporting disciplines.
