Parveen Hooda won Asian Games gold in a split-decision thriller. But the most revealing moment of her journey wasn't about the final round at all - it was a memory of sitting with an injury form in her hand, convinced her Olympic dream was over, and a mother who refused to let her believe it.
During her interaction with the media, Parveen was asked who she wanted to thank most for getting her through the lowest point of this journey.
Parveen didn't hesitate. "I would like to thank my family the most. Because I remember when I went, I had an injury in my shoulder. And I had a paper of whereabouts in my hand. And I was crying like this. But then my mother said that I am worried about this. That there is not much injury in your shoulder. Get it fixed.
I was like mom, my Olympic has gone. Even if it breaks, it is fine. My mother said that you work very hard. She will do it again. She will fix your shoulder. "
Asked whether her mother had even understood the weight of what was at stake, Parveen's answer revealed something quietly selfless. "She didn't want to show me that she was sad. She was behaving normally. That nothing happens. You have done so much. She didn't want me to be worried. "
A Third Round Decided by a Dream Job
Parveen also opened up about exactly what was running through her mind heading into the deciding round, after her opponent leveled the bout. "In the second round, my opponent won. In the third round, I had to make a decision. In Haryana, I get the job of deputy director. It's my dream job. So, I just remember, oh, deputy director. Then I go and take the round in my favor. "
A Promise Made to Her Hospitalized Father, Finally Fulfilled
Parveen's connection to this moment traces back to a painful memory from her last Asian Games appearance, when she left for the competition while her father was hospitalized. Asked if the promise she'd made him back then had finally been fulfilled, she said: "Yes, sir. Of course. At that time, I was going to the Asian Games and my father was hospitalized. So, I left him and went crying. I mean, I had won it so easily. Now, I got the medal back. So, I was here. Now, I have gone to the bronze. So, I have to get the gold next time. "
Asked for an update on her father's health now, she was able to share good news. "He is absolutely fine now. He has recovered. Like I was at home during my sister's time. So, I took him to a lot of good hospitals. And it was very good for me that my father's health is absolutely fine now. "
A Bronze Medal Revoked - and Kept on Display Anyway
Parveen revealed that a previous medal from this exact event had actually been taken away from her, and that she'd deliberately kept it displayed at home regardless. Asked where she kept it, she said: "I have kept it in the middle. That I will change its color. And I will get it gold again. "
Pressed on why she hadn't simply put it away, she explained: "No sir. At that time, my mental health. I had a high condition. I won it with so much effort. " She confirmed it's still displayed prominently today: "It is right in front. For motivation. "
Learning to Trust Her Own Skills
Asked what's changed technically since Hangzhou three years ago, Parveen pointed to confidence rather than raw technique. "Technically, it is fine. I have started trusting my skills more. Earlier, I used to play a little. But now I play with more confidence. That I will do it. Earlier, I used to get nervous. Like the last round. But now I feel that I will handle it. "
She extended that same growth to her broader mindset. "I can say that I have become mentally stronger. I have matured with things. I handle my own things. I don't depend on others. So, maturity and mental strength have increased. "
Why the Struggle Had to Happen
Asked whether she wished the hard years hadn't happened at all, Parveen pushed back on the idea that an easier path would have been better. "It was necessary somewhere, sir. Why? Because we come out of so many struggles. So we become stronger. And I feel that these things were also necessary for this journey. "
A Scare Over Grief, Not Form
Parveen also explained an unusual detail about why she competed in the 65kg category rather than a lower weight class - a decision shaped by personal tragedy rather than strategy. "Last time, when I won the gold in the World Cup. after 4 days, my cousin, Harzi Karate died. And it was a very tough time for our family. And I was mentally down. At that time, I didn't even play in the Nationals. And the Asian Championship that took place, I got lost in the trials. So all the weights were blocked there. So there was only one weight, which was 65, in which I could fight. "
A Friendly Respect With Her Opponent
Asked about a moment after the bout where her opponent picked her up in celebration, Parveen described a mutual respect built over previous meetings on the circuit. "He is a very experienced player. He had won the bronze in the Paris Olympics. And she is ranked number one. And I am quite young compared to him. So, he was saying that you are doing very well. Do better in the future. And he is like a friend of mine. So, he was also very happy for my win. "
She added context on his own journey: "He fought cancer and won the medal in Paris. So, I personally like him a lot. "
With the season now over, Parveen confirmed her focus shifts immediately to the next major target. "There is a World Championship next year. So I will prepare for it. Before that, I will spend some time with my family. I have been losing for a long time. And I will go and eat sweets. "
