When you talk about Indian boxing, one geographical region instantly comes to mind – Bhiwani. Known as the “Mini Cuba” of Indian sport, the Haryana town has produced many champions, including Olympic medallist Vijender Singh. Now, another name is ready to carry that legacy forward – Priya Ghanghas.
“I used to hear names like Vijender Singh, Vikas Krishan and Akhil Kumar,” Priya told RevSportz. “I always thought that one day I would also earn a name like them. When I started boxing, I watched Vijender’s bouts on YouTube. Seeing someone from Bhiwani achieve so much inspired me a lot.”
The 20-year-old from Dhanana village has been one of India’s breakout stars of 2026. She clinched gold in the 60kg category at the National Championships before being crowned Asian champion on her international debut in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The youngster is now preparing for another major test in her career – her Commonwealth Games debut.
“This is my first major multi-sport event, and I’m very happy to represent India,” she said. “It’s a proud moment, and my goal is to win the gold medal for my country.”
Priya’s journey began at the age of 11 in 2015, when her father, Mahendra Ghanghas, recognised his daughter’s talent and took her to former national champion Ravi Sangwan, the coach who also trained Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker before she switched disciplines to shooting. Priya joined his academy alongside her elder brother, Neeraj, before moving to Bhiwani in 2022, where she joined the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre and trained under Mahavir Singh and Naveen Sharma.
“He (Sangwan) is my foundation coach,” said Priya. “He made my boxing technically strong and taught me the basics. In boxing, if your basics are strong, everything else becomes easier. Whatever I have achieved today is because of the foundation he helped build.”
That foundation was on full display at the Asian Championships earlier this year. Priya defeated former world champion Yang Chengyu of China in the quarter-finals before cruising to the gold medal, establishing herself as India’s No. 1 boxer in the 60kg category.
Winning the continental title has transformed her life.
“Earlier, very few people knew me,” she said. “After winning the Asian Championships, many people started recognising me. It made me feel proud because I could make my country, my parents and my coaches proud.”
Away from competition, Priya enjoys something that many would find boring.
“I enjoy sparring the most,” said the 20 year old. “We usually have sparring sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays against different opponents. Every boxer is good, and I enjoy testing myself against all of them.”
Like every elite athlete, Priya has made sacrifices part of her daily life.
“I love eating churma, but I rarely get to eat it because I spend most of my time at the national camp,” she said.
Outside the ring, her routine is surprisingly simple.
“Music motivates me a lot. I mostly listen to motivational songs, and I love listening to Dhanda Nyoliwala the most,” she said.
However, she could not remember the last time she watched a movie.
“I also mostly watch boxing. I enjoy watching Uzbek and Kazakh boxers and studying their techniques,” the Bhiwani girl said.
“I binge-watch Uzbekistan’s Jakhongir Zokirov and the Sabyrkhan brothers (Torekhan and Makhmud),” said Priya. “I admire their confidence because even if they lose the first round 5-0, they never look under pressure. That’s the mindset and confidence I want to develop in my own boxing,” she added.
The Bhiwani boxer is currently training at a SAI camp in Belfast before heading to Glasgow, with her focus firmly set on Commonwealth Games gold.
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The post “I Always Wanted to Earn a Name Like Vijender Singh”: Asian Champion Priya Ghanghas Hopes to Create a Legacy of Her Own, Eyes CWG Gold appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
