×
After slow career start, Priya Ghanghas prepares for big step up in Asian Championships final On her senior international debut, the 20-year-old who once struggled to win a district title beat a former world champion en route to the final of the women’s 60kg category in the Continental Championships.It’s not easy for ambitious young boxers to get admitted to the Boxing Academy at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bhiwani. The academy—where Olympians including Akhil Kumar, Vijender Kumar, Manish Kaushik, Raj Kumar Sangwan, and Vikas Krishan Yadav have trained—has a reputation for excellence.So, in 2023, when Mahendra Ghanghas took his daughter Priya to the said academy, he tried to hype her up. Although she had been training for a few years at that point, she had little to show for it. She hadn’t even won a title at the district level. Nevertheless, Mahendra tried to convince the coaches there that she was a talent waiting to be discovered.“He was telling me that Priya was really talented. When I first saw her, I wasn’t so sure. She didn’t have any real results. And which parent doesn’t think their child isn’t special?” recalls Mahavir Singh, a two-decade-long veteran with the Indian national team.He eventually took the 16-year-old under his wings anyway.Few doubt just how special Priya is now. From left to right: Neeraj Ghanghas, his sister Priya, father Mahendra, and mother. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT From left to right: Neeraj Ghanghas, his sister Priya, father Mahendra, and mother. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT As the youngest boxer in the Indian squad and in what is her senior international debut, Priya has been one of the standout performers at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Having already beaten former world champion Chengyu Yang of China in the quarterfinals, Priya will take on North Korea’s Won Un Gyong in the final of the women’s 60kg category.At first it was just Priya’s father who believed in his daughter’s ability. He’d been an enthusiastic kabaddi player but had been forced by his family to give up the sport and earn a living. “In my time, no one in my family encouraged me to be a sportsperson. So when I became a father, I knew I wanted my children to become sportspersons,” he says.Boxing seemed like a good choice. “When Priya was only three years old, Vijender Singh won an Olympic bronze (at the 2008 Beijing Olympics). He is from Kaluwas, which is only about 20 kilometers from our village of Dhanana. There was a big craze surrounding the sport in the region then. So I wanted my children to be boxers and win a medal at the Olympics also,” he says.It runs in the familyPriya wasn’t the first in her family to pursue the sport. Dhanana, in fact, has a reputation of producing women’s boxers. Two, Sakshi Ghanghas and her cousin Nitu Ghanghas, have won titles at the World Championships.It wasn’t clear whether Priya was going to follow in the footsteps of her seniors, though. She and her brother Neeraj Ghanghas, who is a year older, started boxing in 2016. They were initially training at an academy in Charkhi Dadri—incidentally, where shooting Olympic medallist, Manu Bhaker had also taken a few classes.But while Priya trained diligently, she didn’t get the kind of results she would have wanted. “She took part in district-level competitions, but she didn’t win over there. I suspected the judges weren’t treating her fairly,” says Mahendra.That’s when he decided to shift his two children to Bhiwani. It wasn’t an easy choice. “Priya was also very good in studies. She scored 90 per cent in her class 12 board exams. So, she could have chosen to follow any line, but she wanted to make boxing her focus,” says Mahendra.READ: Asian Boxing Championships 2026: Eight Indians in gold-medal boutsAlthough coach Mahavir says there wasn’t anything that initially stood out about Priya, he soon realised her strengths. “Boxing isn’t purely a physical game. So, even if you have one or two excellent qualities and are average in others, you can still become a good boxer. Priya had some technical weaknesses early on. She often dropped her hands when punching, so we had to train her to stop doing that. But she also was genetically very strong, had a lot of tactical understanding of the sport, and had very good motor qualities,” he says.Most of all, though, Mahavir says Priya surprised him with her stubbornness. “ Badi diler boxer hai (She is a very courageous boxer). Her willpower is very strong. She refuses to accept defeat. She keeps pushing herself. A lot of boxers are talented but make excuses. I don’t recall a single day that she hasn’t showed up to train. I’ve made her spar against boys and boxers who are far heavier than her, and she never steps back,” he says.It wasn’t just Priya who had an adamant streak. So did her father. Although he ran a stone-crushing business in Dadri, he bought a house in Bhiwani and shifted with his family there. “I go to my business one or two days a week at most. Right now my priority is Priya. I take her to the academy and bring her back. When she travels for competitions, I always go with her. When we moved to Bhiwani, I bought a cow and a buffalo so that there’s enough milk for my children. My wife also makes sure that almonds are ground so that Priya gets the right nutrition. All these cost money, but mere mein bhi junoon hai (Even I have my passion). I have to make sure that Priya doesn’t lack anything,” he says.The hex comes undoneWithin a year of joining Bhiwani’s Boxing Academy, Priya’s luck began to change. She won the district and then State youth title in 2023, before following it up with the national title. After repeating the same wins the next year, she competed at the Asian Youth Championships, where she won silver. Her career graph has only gone one way since then. There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Incidentally, her record has mirrored that of her elder brother Neeraj, who has also won a national youth title and a silver medal at the Asian Youth Championships. This often leads to some good-natured teasing between the two. “They’ll compare each other’s results. One of them will say, ‘I’ve won this medal, when are you going to win this?’” says Mahendra.This year, though, Priya has started making far bigger strides. She competed at her first senior national championships in Noida, where she took silver behind world champion Jaismine Lamboria. She might have fallen short of the title there, but she’s hoping to make up for it at the Asian Championships.Her path, though, won’t be easy—considering her opponent had got the better of Olympic champion Lin Yu Ting in the semifinal. For her part, Priya is upbeat. “I spoke to her before the final, and she was very confident. She said koi dikkat nahi hai (there’s no problem),” says Mahendra. Priya and her coach Mahavir. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Priya and her coach Mahavir. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT And although reaching a continental final in her first appearance is a significant achievement, Mahendra says her best is yet to come.According to the Boxing Federation of India’s selection process, boxers who reach the finals at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 secure direct qualification for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. “You look out for her after that also. She is a special talent,” he says.Published on Apr 08, 2026 #slow #career #start #Priya #Ghanghas #prepares #big #step #Asian #Championships #final

After slow career start, Priya Ghanghas prepares for big step up in Asian Championships final

On her senior international debut, the 20-year-old who once struggled to win a district title beat a former world champion en route to the final of the women’s 60kg category in the Continental Championships.

It’s not easy for ambitious young boxers to get admitted to the Boxing Academy at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bhiwani. The academy—where Olympians including Akhil Kumar, Vijender Kumar, Manish Kaushik, Raj Kumar Sangwan, and Vikas Krishan Yadav have trained—has a reputation for excellence.

So, in 2023, when Mahendra Ghanghas took his daughter Priya to the said academy, he tried to hype her up. Although she had been training for a few years at that point, she had little to show for it. She hadn’t even won a title at the district level. Nevertheless, Mahendra tried to convince the coaches there that she was a talent waiting to be discovered.

“He was telling me that Priya was really talented. When I first saw her, I wasn’t so sure. She didn’t have any real results. And which parent doesn’t think their child isn’t special?” recalls Mahavir Singh, a two-decade-long veteran with the Indian national team.

He eventually took the 16-year-old under his wings anyway.

Few doubt just how special Priya is now.

After slow career start, Priya Ghanghas prepares for big step up in Asian Championships final On her senior international debut, the 20-year-old who once struggled to win a district title beat a former world champion en route to the final of the women’s 60kg category in the Continental Championships.It’s not easy for ambitious young boxers to get admitted to the Boxing Academy at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bhiwani. The academy—where Olympians including Akhil Kumar, Vijender Kumar, Manish Kaushik, Raj Kumar Sangwan, and Vikas Krishan Yadav have trained—has a reputation for excellence.So, in 2023, when Mahendra Ghanghas took his daughter Priya to the said academy, he tried to hype her up. Although she had been training for a few years at that point, she had little to show for it. She hadn’t even won a title at the district level. Nevertheless, Mahendra tried to convince the coaches there that she was a talent waiting to be discovered.“He was telling me that Priya was really talented. When I first saw her, I wasn’t so sure. She didn’t have any real results. And which parent doesn’t think their child isn’t special?” recalls Mahavir Singh, a two-decade-long veteran with the Indian national team.He eventually took the 16-year-old under his wings anyway.Few doubt just how special Priya is now. From left to right: Neeraj Ghanghas, his sister Priya, father Mahendra, and mother. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT From left to right: Neeraj Ghanghas, his sister Priya, father Mahendra, and mother. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT As the youngest boxer in the Indian squad and in what is her senior international debut, Priya has been one of the standout performers at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Having already beaten former world champion Chengyu Yang of China in the quarterfinals, Priya will take on North Korea’s Won Un Gyong in the final of the women’s 60kg category.At first it was just Priya’s father who believed in his daughter’s ability. He’d been an enthusiastic kabaddi player but had been forced by his family to give up the sport and earn a living. “In my time, no one in my family encouraged me to be a sportsperson. So when I became a father, I knew I wanted my children to become sportspersons,” he says.Boxing seemed like a good choice. “When Priya was only three years old, Vijender Singh won an Olympic bronze (at the 2008 Beijing Olympics). He is from Kaluwas, which is only about 20 kilometers from our village of Dhanana. There was a big craze surrounding the sport in the region then. So I wanted my children to be boxers and win a medal at the Olympics also,” he says.It runs in the familyPriya wasn’t the first in her family to pursue the sport. Dhanana, in fact, has a reputation of producing women’s boxers. Two, Sakshi Ghanghas and her cousin Nitu Ghanghas, have won titles at the World Championships.It wasn’t clear whether Priya was going to follow in the footsteps of her seniors, though. She and her brother Neeraj Ghanghas, who is a year older, started boxing in 2016. They were initially training at an academy in Charkhi Dadri—incidentally, where shooting Olympic medallist, Manu Bhaker had also taken a few classes.But while Priya trained diligently, she didn’t get the kind of results she would have wanted. “She took part in district-level competitions, but she didn’t win over there. I suspected the judges weren’t treating her fairly,” says Mahendra.That’s when he decided to shift his two children to Bhiwani. It wasn’t an easy choice. “Priya was also very good in studies. She scored 90 per cent in her class 12 board exams. So, she could have chosen to follow any line, but she wanted to make boxing her focus,” says Mahendra.READ: Asian Boxing Championships 2026: Eight Indians in gold-medal boutsAlthough coach Mahavir says there wasn’t anything that initially stood out about Priya, he soon realised her strengths. “Boxing isn’t purely a physical game. So, even if you have one or two excellent qualities and are average in others, you can still become a good boxer. Priya had some technical weaknesses early on. She often dropped her hands when punching, so we had to train her to stop doing that. But she also was genetically very strong, had a lot of tactical understanding of the sport, and had very good motor qualities,” he says.Most of all, though, Mahavir says Priya surprised him with her stubbornness. “ Badi diler boxer hai (She is a very courageous boxer). Her willpower is very strong. She refuses to accept defeat. She keeps pushing herself. A lot of boxers are talented but make excuses. I don’t recall a single day that she hasn’t showed up to train. I’ve made her spar against boys and boxers who are far heavier than her, and she never steps back,” he says.It wasn’t just Priya who had an adamant streak. So did her father. Although he ran a stone-crushing business in Dadri, he bought a house in Bhiwani and shifted with his family there. “I go to my business one or two days a week at most. Right now my priority is Priya. I take her to the academy and bring her back. When she travels for competitions, I always go with her. When we moved to Bhiwani, I bought a cow and a buffalo so that there’s enough milk for my children. My wife also makes sure that almonds are ground so that Priya gets the right nutrition. All these cost money, but mere mein bhi junoon hai (Even I have my passion). I have to make sure that Priya doesn’t lack anything,” he says.The hex comes undoneWithin a year of joining Bhiwani’s Boxing Academy, Priya’s luck began to change. She won the district and then State youth title in 2023, before following it up with the national title. After repeating the same wins the next year, she competed at the Asian Youth Championships, where she won silver. Her career graph has only gone one way since then. There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Incidentally, her record has mirrored that of her elder brother Neeraj, who has also won a national youth title and a silver medal at the Asian Youth Championships. This often leads to some good-natured teasing between the two. “They’ll compare each other’s results. One of them will say, ‘I’ve won this medal, when are you going to win this?’” says Mahendra.This year, though, Priya has started making far bigger strides. She competed at her first senior national championships in Noida, where she took silver behind world champion Jaismine Lamboria. She might have fallen short of the title there, but she’s hoping to make up for it at the Asian Championships.Her path, though, won’t be easy—considering her opponent had got the better of Olympic champion Lin Yu Ting in the semifinal. For her part, Priya is upbeat. “I spoke to her before the final, and she was very confident. She said koi dikkat nahi hai (there’s no problem),” says Mahendra. Priya and her coach Mahavir. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Priya and her coach Mahavir. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT And although reaching a continental final in her first appearance is a significant achievement, Mahendra says her best is yet to come.According to the Boxing Federation of India’s selection process, boxers who reach the finals at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 secure direct qualification for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. “You look out for her after that also. She is a special talent,” he says.Published on Apr 08, 2026 #slow #career #start #Priya #Ghanghas #prepares #big #step #Asian #Championships #final

From left to right: Neeraj Ghanghas, his sister Priya, father Mahendra, and mother. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

lightbox-info

From left to right: Neeraj Ghanghas, his sister Priya, father Mahendra, and mother. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

As the youngest boxer in the Indian squad and in what is her senior international debut, Priya has been one of the standout performers at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Having already beaten former world champion Chengyu Yang of China in the quarterfinals, Priya will take on North Korea’s Won Un Gyong in the final of the women’s 60kg category.

At first it was just Priya’s father who believed in his daughter’s ability. He’d been an enthusiastic kabaddi player but had been forced by his family to give up the sport and earn a living. “In my time, no one in my family encouraged me to be a sportsperson. So when I became a father, I knew I wanted my children to become sportspersons,” he says.

Boxing seemed like a good choice. “When Priya was only three years old, Vijender Singh won an Olympic bronze (at the 2008 Beijing Olympics). He is from Kaluwas, which is only about 20 kilometers from our village of Dhanana. There was a big craze surrounding the sport in the region then. So I wanted my children to be boxers and win a medal at the Olympics also,” he says.

It runs in the family

Priya wasn’t the first in her family to pursue the sport. Dhanana, in fact, has a reputation of producing women’s boxers. Two, Sakshi Ghanghas and her cousin Nitu Ghanghas, have won titles at the World Championships.

It wasn’t clear whether Priya was going to follow in the footsteps of her seniors, though. She and her brother Neeraj Ghanghas, who is a year older, started boxing in 2016. They were initially training at an academy in Charkhi Dadri—incidentally, where shooting Olympic medallist, Manu Bhaker had also taken a few classes.

But while Priya trained diligently, she didn’t get the kind of results she would have wanted. “She took part in district-level competitions, but she didn’t win over there. I suspected the judges weren’t treating her fairly,” says Mahendra.

That’s when he decided to shift his two children to Bhiwani. It wasn’t an easy choice. “Priya was also very good in studies. She scored 90 per cent in her class 12 board exams. So, she could have chosen to follow any line, but she wanted to make boxing her focus,” says Mahendra.

READ: Asian Boxing Championships 2026: Eight Indians in gold-medal bouts

Although coach Mahavir says there wasn’t anything that initially stood out about Priya, he soon realised her strengths. “Boxing isn’t purely a physical game. So, even if you have one or two excellent qualities and are average in others, you can still become a good boxer. Priya had some technical weaknesses early on. She often dropped her hands when punching, so we had to train her to stop doing that. But she also was genetically very strong, had a lot of tactical understanding of the sport, and had very good motor qualities,” he says.

Most of all, though, Mahavir says Priya surprised him with her stubbornness. “ Badi diler boxer hai (She is a very courageous boxer). Her willpower is very strong. She refuses to accept defeat. She keeps pushing herself. A lot of boxers are talented but make excuses. I don’t recall a single day that she hasn’t showed up to train. I’ve made her spar against boys and boxers who are far heavier than her, and she never steps back,” he says.

It wasn’t just Priya who had an adamant streak. So did her father. Although he ran a stone-crushing business in Dadri, he bought a house in Bhiwani and shifted with his family there. “I go to my business one or two days a week at most. Right now my priority is Priya. I take her to the academy and bring her back. When she travels for competitions, I always go with her. When we moved to Bhiwani, I bought a cow and a buffalo so that there’s enough milk for my children. My wife also makes sure that almonds are ground so that Priya gets the right nutrition. All these cost money, but mere mein bhi junoon hai (Even I have my passion). I have to make sure that Priya doesn’t lack anything,” he says.

The hex comes undone

Within a year of joining Bhiwani’s Boxing Academy, Priya’s luck began to change. She won the district and then State youth title in 2023, before following it up with the national title. After repeating the same wins the next year, she competed at the Asian Youth Championships, where she won silver. Her career graph has only gone one way since then.

There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya.

There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

lightbox-info

There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Incidentally, her record has mirrored that of her elder brother Neeraj, who has also won a national youth title and a silver medal at the Asian Youth Championships. This often leads to some good-natured teasing between the two. “They’ll compare each other’s results. One of them will say, ‘I’ve won this medal, when are you going to win this?’” says Mahendra.

This year, though, Priya has started making far bigger strides. She competed at her first senior national championships in Noida, where she took silver behind world champion Jaismine Lamboria. She might have fallen short of the title there, but she’s hoping to make up for it at the Asian Championships.

Her path, though, won’t be easy—considering her opponent had got the better of Olympic champion Lin Yu Ting in the semifinal. For her part, Priya is upbeat. “I spoke to her before the final, and she was very confident. She said koi dikkat nahi hai (there’s no problem),” says Mahendra.

Priya and her coach Mahavir.

Priya and her coach Mahavir. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

lightbox-info

Priya and her coach Mahavir. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

And although reaching a continental final in her first appearance is a significant achievement, Mahendra says her best is yet to come.

According to the Boxing Federation of India’s selection process, boxers who reach the finals at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 secure direct qualification for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. “You look out for her after that also. She is a special talent,” he says.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#slow #career #start #Priya #Ghanghas #prepares #big #step #Asian #Championships #final

Sports news , , , , , , , ,

On her senior international debut, the 20-year-old who once struggled to win a district title beat a former world champion en route to the final of the women’s 60kg category in the Continental Championships.

It’s not easy for ambitious young boxers to get admitted to the Boxing Academy at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bhiwani. The academy—where Olympians including Akhil Kumar, Vijender Kumar, Manish Kaushik, Raj Kumar Sangwan, and Vikas Krishan Yadav have trained—has a reputation for excellence.

So, in 2023, when Mahendra Ghanghas took his daughter Priya to the said academy, he tried to hype her up. Although she had been training for a few years at that point, she had little to show for it. She hadn’t even won a title at the district level. Nevertheless, Mahendra tried to convince the coaches there that she was a talent waiting to be discovered.

“He was telling me that Priya was really talented. When I first saw her, I wasn’t so sure. She didn’t have any real results. And which parent doesn’t think their child isn’t special?” recalls Mahavir Singh, a two-decade-long veteran with the Indian national team.

He eventually took the 16-year-old under his wings anyway.

Few doubt just how special Priya is now.

From left to right: Neeraj Ghanghas, his sister Priya, father Mahendra, and mother.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

lightbox-info

From left to right: Neeraj Ghanghas, his sister Priya, father Mahendra, and mother.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

As the youngest boxer in the Indian squad and in what is her senior international debut, Priya has been one of the standout performers at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Having already beaten former world champion Chengyu Yang of China in the quarterfinals, Priya will take on North Korea’s Won Un Gyong in the final of the women’s 60kg category.

At first it was just Priya’s father who believed in his daughter’s ability. He’d been an enthusiastic kabaddi player but had been forced by his family to give up the sport and earn a living. “In my time, no one in my family encouraged me to be a sportsperson. So when I became a father, I knew I wanted my children to become sportspersons,” he says.

Boxing seemed like a good choice. “When Priya was only three years old, Vijender Singh won an Olympic bronze (at the 2008 Beijing Olympics). He is from Kaluwas, which is only about 20 kilometers from our village of Dhanana. There was a big craze surrounding the sport in the region then. So I wanted my children to be boxers and win a medal at the Olympics also,” he says.

It runs in the family

Priya wasn’t the first in her family to pursue the sport. Dhanana, in fact, has a reputation of producing women’s boxers. Two, Sakshi Ghanghas and her cousin Nitu Ghanghas, have won titles at the World Championships.

It wasn’t clear whether Priya was going to follow in the footsteps of her seniors, though. She and her brother Neeraj Ghanghas, who is a year older, started boxing in 2016. They were initially training at an academy in Charkhi Dadri—incidentally, where shooting Olympic medallist, Manu Bhaker had also taken a few classes.

But while Priya trained diligently, she didn’t get the kind of results she would have wanted. “She took part in district-level competitions, but she didn’t win over there. I suspected the judges weren’t treating her fairly,” says Mahendra.

That’s when he decided to shift his two children to Bhiwani. It wasn’t an easy choice. “Priya was also very good in studies. She scored 90 per cent in her class 12 board exams. So, she could have chosen to follow any line, but she wanted to make boxing her focus,” says Mahendra.

READ: Asian Boxing Championships 2026: Eight Indians in gold-medal bouts

Although coach Mahavir says there wasn’t anything that initially stood out about Priya, he soon realised her strengths. “Boxing isn’t purely a physical game. So, even if you have one or two excellent qualities and are average in others, you can still become a good boxer. Priya had some technical weaknesses early on. She often dropped her hands when punching, so we had to train her to stop doing that. But she also was genetically very strong, had a lot of tactical understanding of the sport, and had very good motor qualities,” he says.

Most of all, though, Mahavir says Priya surprised him with her stubbornness. “ Badi diler boxer hai (She is a very courageous boxer). Her willpower is very strong. She refuses to accept defeat. She keeps pushing herself. A lot of boxers are talented but make excuses. I don’t recall a single day that she hasn’t showed up to train. I’ve made her spar against boys and boxers who are far heavier than her, and she never steps back,” he says.

It wasn’t just Priya who had an adamant streak. So did her father. Although he ran a stone-crushing business in Dadri, he bought a house in Bhiwani and shifted with his family there. “I go to my business one or two days a week at most. Right now my priority is Priya. I take her to the academy and bring her back. When she travels for competitions, I always go with her. When we moved to Bhiwani, I bought a cow and a buffalo so that there’s enough milk for my children. My wife also makes sure that almonds are ground so that Priya gets the right nutrition. All these cost money, but mere mein bhi junoon hai (Even I have my passion). I have to make sure that Priya doesn’t lack anything,” he says.

The hex comes undone

Within a year of joining Bhiwani’s Boxing Academy, Priya’s luck began to change. She won the district and then State youth title in 2023, before following it up with the national title. After repeating the same wins the next year, she competed at the Asian Youth Championships, where she won silver. Her career graph has only gone one way since then.

There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya.

There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

lightbox-info

There’s always good-natured teasing between Neeraj and Priya.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Incidentally, her record has mirrored that of her elder brother Neeraj, who has also won a national youth title and a silver medal at the Asian Youth Championships. This often leads to some good-natured teasing between the two. “They’ll compare each other’s results. One of them will say, ‘I’ve won this medal, when are you going to win this?’” says Mahendra.

This year, though, Priya has started making far bigger strides. She competed at her first senior national championships in Noida, where she took silver behind world champion Jaismine Lamboria. She might have fallen short of the title there, but she’s hoping to make up for it at the Asian Championships.

Her path, though, won’t be easy—considering her opponent had got the better of Olympic champion Lin Yu Ting in the semifinal. For her part, Priya is upbeat. “I spoke to her before the final, and she was very confident. She said koi dikkat nahi hai (there’s no problem),” says Mahendra.

Priya and her coach Mahavir.

Priya and her coach Mahavir.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

lightbox-info

Priya and her coach Mahavir.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

And although reaching a continental final in her first appearance is a significant achievement, Mahendra says her best is yet to come.

According to the Boxing Federation of India’s selection process, boxers who reach the finals at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 secure direct qualification for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. “You look out for her after that also. She is a special talent,” he says.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

Source link
#slow #career #start #Priya #Ghanghas #prepares #big #step #Asian #Championships #final

Tag

Related Posts

Deadspin | Marlins turn to Sandy Alcantara in bid for series win vs. Dodgers Apr 24, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images A pair of early-season workhorses will square off when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series. The Marlins will send National League innings leader Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.05 ERA) to the mound, and the Dodgers will counter with fellow right-hander Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.45), who has reached 100 pitches in three of his last four starts. In 41 1/3 innings over six starts, Alcantara has averaged an MLB-best 13.69 pitches per inning, as he appears close to finding his Cy Young Award form from 2022. After not pitching in 2024 following Tommy John surgery, he had a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts last season. Alcantara ended a three-start winless streak when he allowed three runs over six innings in a 9-4 victory at San Francisco on Friday. In eight career starts against the Dodgers, he is 2-5 with a 9.57 ERA, allowing 11 home runs over 36 2/3 innings. The pitching staff has kept the Marlins competitive in the series. Five pitchers held the Dodgers to two runs through eight innings of a defeat in the series opener on Monday, while five pitchers combined to give up one run in a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. The concern is at closer with right-hander Pete Fairbanks going on the 15-day injured list Tuesday after experiencing nerve irritation that led to hand numbness during his blown save Monday. Tyler Phillips pitched a scoreless ninth Tuesday for his second save. “We feel like we have a lot of confidence in a number of the pitchers that we have down there,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said, while suggesting he might close games by committee. Glasnow was in line to start for the Dodgers on Tuesday but swapped spots with right-hander Shohei Ohtani in order to get an extra day of rest after heavy usage of late. In his best outing during an impressive run to start the season, Glasnow gave up one hit over eight scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory at San Francisco on Thursday. He has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his five starts. “I haven’t really had the slider, especially early in the season, and (Thursday) it felt really good,” said Glasnow, who gave up his lone hit in the fourth inning. “I think just showing that early, trying to throw it for strikes and then using it as a put-away option as well was helpful. It was like a mix of everything. I think that’s why I did pretty well.” In four career starts against the Marlins, Glasnow is 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA. He has not faced them since 2023, when he gave up one run over seven innings while earning the win. The Dodgers’ offense continues to be in a lull, with one run or less in three of their past eight games. Los Angeles scored its lone run in the eighth inning Tuesday on a single by Will Smith for one of his three hits. Ohtani is expected to return to the top of the order Wednesday after he did not hit Tuesday for the second time in his five starts on the mound. Freddie Freeman has not homered over his last 18 games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Marlins #turn #Sandy #Alcantara #bid #series #win #DodgersApr 24, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

A pair of early-season workhorses will square off when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series.

The Marlins will send National League innings leader Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.05 ERA) to the mound, and the Dodgers will counter with fellow right-hander Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.45), who has reached 100 pitches in three of his last four starts.

In 41 1/3 innings over six starts, Alcantara has averaged an MLB-best 13.69 pitches per inning, as he appears close to finding his Cy Young Award form from 2022. After not pitching in 2024 following Tommy John surgery, he had a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts last season.

Alcantara ended a three-start winless streak when he allowed three runs over six innings in a 9-4 victory at San Francisco on Friday. In eight career starts against the Dodgers, he is 2-5 with a 9.57 ERA, allowing 11 home runs over 36 2/3 innings.

The pitching staff has kept the Marlins competitive in the series. Five pitchers held the Dodgers to two runs through eight innings of a defeat in the series opener on Monday, while five pitchers combined to give up one run in a 2-1 victory on Tuesday.

The concern is at closer with right-hander Pete Fairbanks going on the 15-day injured list Tuesday after experiencing nerve irritation that led to hand numbness during his blown save Monday. Tyler Phillips pitched a scoreless ninth Tuesday for his second save.

“We feel like we have a lot of confidence in a number of the pitchers that we have down there,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said, while suggesting he might close games by committee.


Glasnow was in line to start for the Dodgers on Tuesday but swapped spots with right-hander Shohei Ohtani in order to get an extra day of rest after heavy usage of late.

In his best outing during an impressive run to start the season, Glasnow gave up one hit over eight scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory at San Francisco on Thursday. He has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his five starts.

“I haven’t really had the slider, especially early in the season, and (Thursday) it felt really good,” said Glasnow, who gave up his lone hit in the fourth inning.

“I think just showing that early, trying to throw it for strikes and then using it as a put-away option as well was helpful. It was like a mix of everything. I think that’s why I did pretty well.”

In four career starts against the Marlins, Glasnow is 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA. He has not faced them since 2023, when he gave up one run over seven innings while earning the win.

The Dodgers’ offense continues to be in a lull, with one run or less in three of their past eight games. Los Angeles scored its lone run in the eighth inning Tuesday on a single by Will Smith for one of his three hits.

Ohtani is expected to return to the top of the order Wednesday after he did not hit Tuesday for the second time in his five starts on the mound. Freddie Freeman has not homered over his last 18 games.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Marlins #turn #Sandy #Alcantara #bid #series #win #Dodgers">Deadspin | Marlins turn to Sandy Alcantara in bid for series win vs. Dodgers Apr 24, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images A pair of early-season workhorses will square off when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series. The Marlins will send National League innings leader Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.05 ERA) to the mound, and the Dodgers will counter with fellow right-hander Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.45), who has reached 100 pitches in three of his last four starts. In 41 1/3 innings over six starts, Alcantara has averaged an MLB-best 13.69 pitches per inning, as he appears close to finding his Cy Young Award form from 2022. After not pitching in 2024 following Tommy John surgery, he had a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts last season. Alcantara ended a three-start winless streak when he allowed three runs over six innings in a 9-4 victory at San Francisco on Friday. In eight career starts against the Dodgers, he is 2-5 with a 9.57 ERA, allowing 11 home runs over 36 2/3 innings. The pitching staff has kept the Marlins competitive in the series. Five pitchers held the Dodgers to two runs through eight innings of a defeat in the series opener on Monday, while five pitchers combined to give up one run in a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. The concern is at closer with right-hander Pete Fairbanks going on the 15-day injured list Tuesday after experiencing nerve irritation that led to hand numbness during his blown save Monday. Tyler Phillips pitched a scoreless ninth Tuesday for his second save. “We feel like we have a lot of confidence in a number of the pitchers that we have down there,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said, while suggesting he might close games by committee. Glasnow was in line to start for the Dodgers on Tuesday but swapped spots with right-hander Shohei Ohtani in order to get an extra day of rest after heavy usage of late. In his best outing during an impressive run to start the season, Glasnow gave up one hit over eight scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory at San Francisco on Thursday. He has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his five starts. “I haven’t really had the slider, especially early in the season, and (Thursday) it felt really good,” said Glasnow, who gave up his lone hit in the fourth inning. “I think just showing that early, trying to throw it for strikes and then using it as a put-away option as well was helpful. It was like a mix of everything. I think that’s why I did pretty well.” In four career starts against the Marlins, Glasnow is 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA. He has not faced them since 2023, when he gave up one run over seven innings while earning the win. The Dodgers’ offense continues to be in a lull, with one run or less in three of their past eight games. Los Angeles scored its lone run in the eighth inning Tuesday on a single by Will Smith for one of his three hits. Ohtani is expected to return to the top of the order Wednesday after he did not hit Tuesday for the second time in his five starts on the mound. Freddie Freeman has not homered over his last 18 games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Marlins #turn #Sandy #Alcantara #bid #series #win #Dodgers

Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has approached the Court of Arbitration ​for Sport (CAS) to appeal against a four-year ‌doping ban handed to him by ​England’s Football Association (FA), British ⁠media reported on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian was charged with anti-doping rule violations in June last year ‌after a sample taken in 2024 produced an adverse finding ‌for a prohibited substance, reported ‌to ⁠be meldonium. Mudryk had said that ⁠the adverse finding came as a “complete shock” as he had never knowingly used a banned ​substance.

Having joined ‌Chelsea in January 2023 for an initial fee of €70 million ($81.83 million), Mudryk was provisionally suspended in ‌December 2024 and the 25-year-old has ​not played since.

“CAS confirms it has received an appeal by ⁠Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026,” it said in ‌a statement to the BBC and the Times.

“The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”

The FA said it could not comment because the ‌case is ongoing. Reuters has contacted CAS ​for comment.

Meldonium is the same substance Maria Sharapova tested positive for, ⁠with the Russian tennis player initially being ⁠banned by the International Tennis Federation for two years before an ‌appeal led to her suspension being reduced to 15 months.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#Chelseas #Mudryk #appeals #CAS #fouryear #doping #ban #Reports">Chelsea’s Mudryk appeals to CAS over four-year doping ban – Reports Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has approached the Court of Arbitration ​for Sport (CAS) to appeal against a four-year ‌doping ban handed to him by ​England’s Football Association (FA), British ⁠media reported on Wednesday.The Ukrainian was charged with anti-doping rule violations in June last year ‌after a sample taken in 2024 produced an adverse finding ‌for a prohibited substance, reported ‌to ⁠be meldonium. Mudryk had said that ⁠the adverse finding came as a “complete shock” as he had never knowingly used a banned ​substance.Having joined ‌Chelsea in January 2023 for an initial fee of €70 million (.83 million), Mudryk was provisionally suspended in ‌December 2024 and the 25-year-old has ​not played since.“CAS confirms it has received an appeal by ⁠Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026,” it said in ‌a statement to the BBC and the Times.“The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”The FA said it could not comment because the ‌case is ongoing. Reuters has contacted CAS ​for comment.Meldonium is the same substance Maria Sharapova tested positive for, ⁠with the Russian tennis player initially being ⁠banned by the International Tennis Federation for two years before an ‌appeal led to her suspension being reduced to 15 months.Published on Apr 29, 2026 #Chelseas #Mudryk #appeals #CAS #fouryear #doping #ban #Reports

Deadspin | Rockies strive to do the difficult: Stop Reds’ Elly De La Cruz Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) follows through on a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Reds won the opening game of the series, 7-2. Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz will look to continue his historic start to the season when the Reds host the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night in the second game of a three-game series. The star shortstop had a pair of clutch defensive plays to go with his 3-for-4 night at the plate on Monday. De La Cruz homered and drove in four runs in Cincinnati’s 7-2 victory. The homer was the 10th for De La Cruz, who became the first major leaguer since 1900 with at least 10 home runs and at least eight stolen bases before May. De La Cruz has stolen his eight bases in 10 attempts. His 10 homers are tied for most by any major league switch-hitter before May since 1900, as he joined Seattle’s Cal Raleigh (2025), Oakland’s Nick Swisher (2006), and Houston’s Lance Berkman in 2002 and 2006. Defensively, De La Cruz made a spectacular throw across his body from deep in the hole to throw out Kyle Karros by a half-step in the second inning Tuesday and started a key double play on a bad-hop grounder hit by Hunter Goodman to end the seventh inning. “The win. That’s the best part. That’s the best part,” De La Cruz said after the game. “You play to win. We come with the same mentality every day. We’re just trying to win.” The Reds have won eight of their past 10 games to remain in first place in the National League Central. Cincinnati will send left-hander Brandon Williamson (2-2, 5.40 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday. He has struggled with command recently, issuing 14 walks in 20 1/3 innings in April. Williamson often has labored to put batters away and failed to pitch deep into games. He has not exceeded 5 1/3 innings in four of his five starts. Williamson will try to improve on his most recent outing, when he allowed five runs on seven hits last Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 6-1 loss. Williamson’s spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy as another left-hander, Nick Lodolo, prepares to make his 2026 season debut. Lodolo has been sidelined since beginning the season with a blister on his left index finger. He has started twice against the Rockies in his career and has a 3.38 ERA and 11 strikeouts with no decisions. Colorado will counter with right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (2-1, 3.42 ERA), making his sixth start of the season, third on the road and first career start against Cincinnati. Sugano has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his five starts. In his most recent outing against the San Diego Padres last Wednesday, Sugano earned the win after allowing just one run over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-3 victory, marking the first time this season he did not surrender a home run. With Kyle Freeland coming off the injured list and starting on Tuesday, Sugano is pitching on a full week of rest. The Rockies squandered several scoring opportunities on Tuesday, stranding 10 runners and going just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position as their three-game winning streak ended. “Bunch of runners on base. Situational baseball not good,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer lamented. “Runner on third base, less than two outs, 0-for-3. Plenty of chances, boys kept going, but just didn’t get the job done when it was needed.” Mickey Moniak leads the Rockies with eight home runs and is slugging .655, while Edouard Julien was 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Tuesday’s loss. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rockies #strive #difficult #Stop #Reds #Elly #CruzCincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) follows through on a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Reds won the opening game of the series, 7-2.

Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz will look to continue his historic start to the season when the Reds host the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night in the second game of a three-game series.

The star shortstop had a pair of clutch defensive plays to go with his 3-for-4 night at the plate on Monday. De La Cruz homered and drove in four runs in Cincinnati’s 7-2 victory.

The homer was the 10th for De La Cruz, who became the first major leaguer since 1900 with at least 10 home runs and at least eight stolen bases before May.

De La Cruz has stolen his eight bases in 10 attempts. His 10 homers are tied for most by any major league switch-hitter before May since 1900, as he joined Seattle’s Cal Raleigh (2025), Oakland’s Nick Swisher (2006), and Houston’s Lance Berkman in 2002 and 2006.

Defensively, De La Cruz made a spectacular throw across his body from deep in the hole to throw out Kyle Karros by a half-step in the second inning Tuesday and started a key double play on a bad-hop grounder hit by Hunter Goodman to end the seventh inning.

“The win. That’s the best part. That’s the best part,” De La Cruz said after the game. “You play to win. We come with the same mentality every day. We’re just trying to win.”

The Reds have won eight of their past 10 games to remain in first place in the National League Central.

Cincinnati will send left-hander Brandon Williamson (2-2, 5.40 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday. He has struggled with command recently, issuing 14 walks in 20 1/3 innings in April.


Williamson often has labored to put batters away and failed to pitch deep into games. He has not exceeded 5 1/3 innings in four of his five starts. Williamson will try to improve on his most recent outing, when he allowed five runs on seven hits last Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 6-1 loss.

Williamson’s spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy as another left-hander, Nick Lodolo, prepares to make his 2026 season debut. Lodolo has been sidelined since beginning the season with a blister on his left index finger.

He has started twice against the Rockies in his career and has a 3.38 ERA and 11 strikeouts with no decisions.

Colorado will counter with right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (2-1, 3.42 ERA), making his sixth start of the season, third on the road and first career start against Cincinnati. Sugano has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his five starts.

In his most recent outing against the San Diego Padres last Wednesday, Sugano earned the win after allowing just one run over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-3 victory, marking the first time this season he did not surrender a home run. With Kyle Freeland coming off the injured list and starting on Tuesday, Sugano is pitching on a full week of rest.

The Rockies squandered several scoring opportunities on Tuesday, stranding 10 runners and going just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position as their three-game winning streak ended.

“Bunch of runners on base. Situational baseball not good,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer lamented. “Runner on third base, less than two outs, 0-for-3. Plenty of chances, boys kept going, but just didn’t get the job done when it was needed.”

Mickey Moniak leads the Rockies with eight home runs and is slugging .655, while Edouard Julien was 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Tuesday’s loss.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rockies #strive #difficult #Stop #Reds #Elly #Cruz">Deadspin | Rockies strive to do the difficult: Stop Reds’ Elly De La Cruz Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) follows through on a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Reds won the opening game of the series, 7-2. Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz will look to continue his historic start to the season when the Reds host the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night in the second game of a three-game series. The star shortstop had a pair of clutch defensive plays to go with his 3-for-4 night at the plate on Monday. De La Cruz homered and drove in four runs in Cincinnati’s 7-2 victory. The homer was the 10th for De La Cruz, who became the first major leaguer since 1900 with at least 10 home runs and at least eight stolen bases before May. De La Cruz has stolen his eight bases in 10 attempts. His 10 homers are tied for most by any major league switch-hitter before May since 1900, as he joined Seattle’s Cal Raleigh (2025), Oakland’s Nick Swisher (2006), and Houston’s Lance Berkman in 2002 and 2006. Defensively, De La Cruz made a spectacular throw across his body from deep in the hole to throw out Kyle Karros by a half-step in the second inning Tuesday and started a key double play on a bad-hop grounder hit by Hunter Goodman to end the seventh inning. “The win. That’s the best part. That’s the best part,” De La Cruz said after the game. “You play to win. We come with the same mentality every day. We’re just trying to win.” The Reds have won eight of their past 10 games to remain in first place in the National League Central. Cincinnati will send left-hander Brandon Williamson (2-2, 5.40 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday. He has struggled with command recently, issuing 14 walks in 20 1/3 innings in April. Williamson often has labored to put batters away and failed to pitch deep into games. He has not exceeded 5 1/3 innings in four of his five starts. Williamson will try to improve on his most recent outing, when he allowed five runs on seven hits last Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 6-1 loss. Williamson’s spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy as another left-hander, Nick Lodolo, prepares to make his 2026 season debut. Lodolo has been sidelined since beginning the season with a blister on his left index finger. He has started twice against the Rockies in his career and has a 3.38 ERA and 11 strikeouts with no decisions. Colorado will counter with right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (2-1, 3.42 ERA), making his sixth start of the season, third on the road and first career start against Cincinnati. Sugano has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his five starts. In his most recent outing against the San Diego Padres last Wednesday, Sugano earned the win after allowing just one run over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-3 victory, marking the first time this season he did not surrender a home run. With Kyle Freeland coming off the injured list and starting on Tuesday, Sugano is pitching on a full week of rest. The Rockies squandered several scoring opportunities on Tuesday, stranding 10 runners and going just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position as their three-game winning streak ended. “Bunch of runners on base. Situational baseball not good,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer lamented. “Runner on third base, less than two outs, 0-for-3. Plenty of chances, boys kept going, but just didn’t get the job done when it was needed.” Mickey Moniak leads the Rockies with eight home runs and is slugging .655, while Edouard Julien was 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Tuesday’s loss. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rockies #strive #difficult #Stop #Reds #Elly #Cruz

Post Comment