Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Parveen Hooda Overcomes Ban, Cancer Crisis for Asian Gold
Parveen Hooda is an Indian boxer who won a gold medal at the Asian Games.
She defeated Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei in the 65kg final.
Before this, she received a 22-month ban for missing three required whereabouts checks.
The ban meant she could not compete at the Paris Olympics, even though she had earned a quota place.
At the same time, her father was receiving treatment for stage-three throat cancer.
Her family said she helped manage medical expenses and encouraged everyone at home.
After the ban ended, Parveen returned to boxing and won important competitions.
Her Asian Games victory showed how she rebuilt her career after these difficult experiences.
Parveen Hooda won the women’s 65kg Asian Games final 3-2 against Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei.
The 26-year-old previously received a 22-month World Anti-Doping Agency ban for three whereabouts failures in 2024.
The ban ended her Paris Olympics opportunity despite her having secured a quota place.
During the ban, her father, Lakhpat Hooda, was undergoing chemotherapy for stage-three throat cancer.
After returning to competition, Hooda won titles at the BFI Cup and World Boxing Cup before claiming Asian Games gold.
- Who
- Indian boxer Parveen Hooda, her family, and her coaches.
- What
- Hooda won the women’s 65kg Asian Games gold medal in a 3-2 split decision.
- When
- She won on Friday; her 22-month ban was imposed in 2024 and ended in May of the previous year.
- Where
- The final was held at the Asian Games in Japan; she trains at the National Centre of Excellence in Rohtak.
- Why
- The victory marked her return to the Asian Games podium after a doping-related ban and family hardship.
- Final result
- Parveen Hooda defeated Chen Nien-chin 3-2 in the women’s 65kg final.
- Ban
- The World Anti-Doping Agency imposed a 22-month ban for three whereabouts failures in 2024.
- Olympic impact
- The ban ended Hooda’s opportunity to compete at the Paris Olympics despite her having secured a quota place.
- Family illness
- Her father, Lakhpat Hooda, had stage-three throat cancer and underwent chemotherapy.
- Return to boxing
- After the ban ended, Hooda won 60kg gold at the BFI Cup and the World Boxing Cup in New Delhi.
- Earlier achievement
- She won bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games and earned a Paris Olympics quota place.
- Weight division
- Hooda moved from 57kg to 65kg over a three-year period.