Hisar: A 25-km victory procession, flower showers, drumbeats, folk performances and a community feast marked Commonwealth Games boxing champion Ankush Panghal’s triumphant homecoming to Hisar on Friday after he clinched the 80kg gold in Glasgow, Scotland.Panghal was taken in a 25-km victory procession from Gate No. 4 of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) to his native Bheriya village, where a grand civic reception awaited him. Crowds lined the route, showering flowers at five points as drumbeats, folk performances and chants of “Golden Boy” filled the air.Panghal rode in a specially decorated open jeep driven by his sister, who said it was a matter of immense pride to lead her brother’s homecoming after his historic win.A sporting legacyPanghal’s uncle Ramesh Panghal urged parents to encourage children to take up sports, saying international medals not only transform lives but also bring glory to the nation. He said the family has a rich sporting legacy, with six children actively involved in competitive sports.Ankush’s father Suresh Panghal is a former national-level kabaddi player who later encouraged his children to pursue boxing.The victory procession also stopped at R S Dhaba, owned by Panghal’s father in Azad Nagar, where admirers gathered to felicitate the champion. At Bheriya village, a community feast was organised featuring five varieties of sweets, including laddoos, barfi, rasgullas, jalebis and ice cream.Homecoming meal awaits sonSuresh Panghal said his son, despite maintaining a strict athlete’s diet, was most eager to relish his mother Mukesh’s homemade desi ghee churma after returning home with the gold medal. “He also likes malpua, but because of his training schedule, he rarely gets to eat it. This victory deserves a special homecoming meal,” he said.
