Thai-New Zealander Boxer Wins First Women's Asian Games Gold
Thai‑New Zealander boxer Natnicha Jongproongklang, known as Focus, won the women’s 54‑kg boxing gold at the 20th Asian Games by defeating North Korea’s Pang Chol‑mi in a 4‑1 split decision. The victory gave Thailand its 15th gold medal at the Games and made her the first Thai female boxer to capture Asian Games gold since the sport debuted in 2010. It also marks the first and only gold ever won by the Thai Boxing Association.
At the 20th Asian Games women's 54‑kg boxing final, Focus Natnicha Jongproongklang of Thai‑New Zealand heritage took on Pang Chol‑mi, a two‑time world light flyweight champion and 2024 Olympic bantamweight bronze medallist. Natnicha pressed for clean hits but was counted once in the second round as Pang fired fast punches. After three rounds, the judges gave her a 4‑1 decision, securing the gold. This is Thailand’s 15th gold medal at the Games and the first ever Asian Games gold for a Thai female boxer since boxing was added in 2010, as well as the first and only gold for the Thai Boxing Association.
