I chose boxing because I beat boys in school: Stories of India’s CWG boxing stars
Five Gold medal winners. Five Indian girls. Five historical wins.
The country applauded Naari Shakti but few know about the struggles for them to reach the podium. India Today’s Pooja Shali met the Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medal winners in Delhi to find out their story from Hometown to Glasgow.
Arundhati Chaudhary lived in Rajasthan’s Kota, known as the coaching capital for medical and engineering entrance examinations. Arundhati’s father expected the same route for her but she rebelled.
“I like punching, I used to get into fights and even beat up boys in school. The principal called my parents and informed them that I have been suspended.”
“Papa wanted me to get into an IIT. But that was not my real nature. So, father suggested I choose solo sports, and I chose boxing.”
Shifting from the obedient “Good Girl” narrative, Arundhati suggested a new name – “Goon Girls.”
MINI CUBA DELIVERS FOR INDIA, AGAIN
Four out of five girls hail from Haryana’s Bhiwani, also known as ‘Mini Cuba’ for training maximum Boxers.
For Priya Ghangas, she took to the sport in childhood.
“I started boxing at 10 years of age. I was naughty and liked to fight, so boxing was fun. When Vijender Singh won Olympic bronze, I was also inspired to win for India.”
A decade later, she held the Gold medal in her hand.
Sakshi Chaudhary’s risk-worthy decision to change her weight category paid rewards.
“I went from 54 kg to 51 kg.. We did not eat the day before. No water allowed the night before. Plus, the pressure before the bout. The first time I arrived at the CWG event and saw the international crowd, I felt overwhelmed and wondered if I would succeed. I had additional pressure to win the Gold medal because I had changed the weight category and performed well during trials. As I started to win every bout at CWG and gained confidence, I maintained the pace.”
For 24-year-old, Jasmine Lamboria, health turned out to be the biggest scare.
“I was unwell for almost a month, kept popping medications but fever would not come down. Eventually, tests confirmed a high bacterial infection. I was scared because the bout was barely 20 days later. But I returned to training with mental confidence and so performed well at the bout.”
For Preeti Pawar: “I had to mentally train myself to ensure excellence. More important is to keep the mind fit to cover up any physical limitations.”
In India, boxing as a sport is still uncommon. But with the recent series of wins creating history, that stereotype is set to change.
– Ends
