Asian Games: Priya Ghanghas Settles for Bronze After Semifinal Loss to China’s Yang Chengyu

The reigning Commonwealth Games champion maintained an attacking approach throughout the bout, but Yang’s composure and defensive discipline helped her edge the Indian on the judges’ scorecards and advance to the final.

Priya entered the semifinal in strong form after defeating Tajikistan’s Mijgona Samadova 5-0 in the quarterfinals. She had also produced a major upset in the pre-quarterfinals by defeating two-time World medallist Oh Yeonji of South Korea.

Yang, however, proved a difficult opponent to break down. The Chinese boxer began aggressively and forced Priya to look for counter-attacks. The Indian gradually found her rhythm and landed several combinations, particularly towards the end of the opening round, but Yang was awarded the round 3-2.

Priya increased the pressure in the second round, moving forward more frequently in an attempt to close the deficit. Yang, the bronze medallist at the 2025 World Championships, remained compact and limited the number of clean shots Priya could land while also finding success with her own punches.

The second round went 4-1 in Yang’s favour, leaving Priya needing a strong final three minutes to overturn the deficit.

The Indian boxer responded by raising the pace and continuing to press forward in the third round. Yang repeatedly managed to smother Priya’s attacks, block incoming punches and maintain her defensive shape.

Priya continued to search for openings but could not produce enough decisive exchanges to swing the judges. Yang was again awarded the round 4-1, completing a 4-1 split-decision victory and earning her place in the gold-medal bout.

Priya’s campaign therefore ended with a bronze medal, adding to an increasingly strong international record. The Bhiwani-born boxer had earlier won gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and also claimed the Asian Elite Boxing Championships title in Ulaanbaatar this year.

Yang will face Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting in the final. Lin, the reigning Olympic champion from Paris, will now battle Yang for the women’s 60kg Asian Games title.