By Meera Regmi
OCA Young Reporter from Bhutan
Nagoya, Japan, September 30, 2026: For Bhutanese boxer Kinga Wangmo, the Asian Games was a rollercoaster of emotions. After making history with a 5–0 unanimous victory against Bahrain’s Maryam Khamis in the women’s 54kg Round of 16 on September 25, Kinga stepped into the ring again on September 27 to face China’s Zhou Xuan in the quarterfinals. Despite her determination and fighting spirit, she suffered a 5–0 defeat, bringing her Asian Games journey to an end.
On the other side of the final results lies Kinga’s journey to the Asian Games, shaped by relentless training, countless sacrifices and an unwavering belief in herself and her purpose in Japan.
For Kinga, stepping into the ring was more than just another day of competition. It was a test of years of hard work, discipline and the pride of shouldering the responsibility of representing Bhutan on an international stage.
“Being able to represent my country on such a big stage is an honour and a truly memorable experience. Competing at such a high level gave me the opportunity to test myself against experienced and strong opponents and learn from them."
Reflecting on her performance, Kinga expressed mixed feelings, acknowledging both her efforts and the room for improvement.
“As for my performance, I am partly satisfied. Of course, as an athlete, I always want to do better and achieve more. There will always be room for improvement but, despite all that, I am proud of the effort, preparation and courage I have shown throughout the competition."
Representing Bhutan on a stage as significant as the Asian Games meant carrying a tremendous responsibility, accompanied by a deep sense of pride and respect for her country. What was once a dream became a reality through Kinga’s passion for boxing and her love for Bhutan.
“I feel a deep sense of pride, responsibility and gratitude. I know I am not fighting only for myself and my younger self’s dreams. I am carrying the name and hopes of my country and my people back home. When I step into the ring, I remind myself of all the people who have supported me endlessly, the sacrifices I have made during training sessions and the journey that brought me to the Asian Games."
Competing at a prestigious event like the Asian Games is never easy, even after countless hours of practice and preparation. For Kinga, who comes from a country with relatively few female boxers, standing firm against experienced international opponents presented its own challenges. However, her self-belief, trust in her coaches and passion for boxing helped her persevere.
“One of my biggest challenges has been overcoming self-doubt. I was quite anxious stepping into the ring, fully aware that I was fighting against some of the finest boxers. But I overcame those feelings by staying disciplined, trusting my coaches, learning from losses and coming back stronger. Honestly, every challenge has made me stronger."
She further reflected on the challenges of being a female boxer from Bhutan, viewing them as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.
“As a female boxer from Bhutan, I have faced challenges such as limited opportunities and a lack of female role models in boxing. However, instead of viewing them as limitations, I now see them as opportunities. Every challenge has pushed me to work harder and become stronger. They have shaped me not only into a better boxer but also into a stronger person who wishes to aim higher and inspire young girls in Bhutan to believe that they, too, can dream big and achieve their goals."
Amid the demands of competing in the ring, Kinga draws motivation from the Bhutanese flag she wears, reminding herself of the country she represents and the people who believe in her. Her determination to improve and put Bhutan on the international boxing map continues to drive her forward.
“My goal was, and still is, to always give my absolute best, fight with courage and respect, and make Bhutan proud. Wearing the Bhutanese flag on my chest is one of my greatest motivations. From here on, I want to become a better boxer and continue representing Bhutan with pride. I remind myself why I started and of all the trust my coach, family and the Bhutanese people have placed in me. This is what keeps me going."
With her Asian Games journey behind her, which gave her incredible experiences and values, Kinga now turns her attention to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. The experiences she has gained and her growing passion for boxing mark the beginning of a new chapter in her sporting career.
“My experience at the Asian Games has motivated me to aim higher and strengthened my love for boxing. My next goal is to improve my skills, gain more international experience and compete in more championships. Above all, I want to continue representing Bhutan with pride and work towards winning a medal at the highest level of competition."
