Pawar’s Path to the Final
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar has advanced to the final of the women’s 54kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Her journey to the gold medal bout included a decisive 5-0 victory over Catherine Mwape of Zambia in the semifinal. This win makes Preeti the first Indian boxer to reach a final in Glasgow in her category.
During her semifinal match, Preeti demonstrated strong control from the outset. She effectively used her left straight and consistently landed counter-attacks after drawing Mwape forward. The Zambian boxer found it challenging to connect clean punches and struggled when Preeti initiated combinations. Preeti’s dominance was evident as Mwape received three eight counts within the first two rounds. All five judges scored the second round 10-8 in Preeti’s favour, reflecting her command of the contest. Mwape spent the final round attempting to avoid Preeti’s attacks, leading to a comfortable 5-0 victory for the Indian boxer.
Preeti, who is 22-year-old and hails from Bhiwani, is an Asian Games bronze medallist. She is now set to compete against Scarlett Delgado of Canada in the gold medal match. Delgado secured her spot in the final by defeating Lauren Mackie of England with a 4-1 score in her semifinal bout.
Challenges of Weight Management
Following her semifinal win, Preeti spoke about the difficulties associated with cutting weight for important bouts. She acknowledged that the process is tough because athletes are restricted in their food intake. Despite the challenges, Preeti noted that this struggle also serves as a strong motivator.
She stated that the weight-cutting process is an integral part of their training and helps to push them forward. Preeti highlighted that while not being able to eat properly is difficult, it reinforces her determination, especially when she is one step away from a final. She expressed satisfaction with her performance, saying, “I am very happy that I have managed to do what I prepared for.” Preeti also emphasised her commitment to giving her best in the upcoming gold medal bout, maintaining that she never underestimates her opponents and always prepares thoroughly with her coaches to implement her plans effectively.
India’s Boxing Success in Glasgow
Preeti Pawar’s advancement to the final is part of a broader success story for India’s boxing contingent at the Commonwealth Games. Several other Indian boxers have also secured their places in the finals, contributing to a promising medal haul for the nation.
Jadumani, for instance, booked his spot in the men’s 55kg boxing final after a unanimous decision victory over Haoseb in his semifinal. Jadumani maintained a composed approach, relying on counter-punching while avoiding unnecessary risks, even as Haoseb pressed aggressively. All judges scored the bout in Jadumani’s favour, and he will face Dixon in the final. Jadumani’s strong finish in the opening round, where he landed clean blows and a powerful punch, was decisive in swaying the judges.
Similarly, Jaismine delivered a commanding performance, securing her place in the boxing final with a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Maselela. Jaismine dominated the second round, landing a series of powerful punches that led to multiple standing counts for her opponent. The referee ultimately stopped the contest after Maselela was unable to cope with the sustained barrage, sending Jaismine to the gold medal match.
Ankush Panghal also made it to the final in the 80kg category, achieving a 5-0 unanimous win against Joshua Ofori of Canada. Ankush’s dominant display forced Ofori to resort to clinching after being outboxed in the initial rounds. Even when the Canadian launched an all-out attack, Ankush absorbed the pressure and countered with crisp combinations, securing a one-sided victory. These performances underscore a successful period for India’s boxing team in Glasgow.
Other Indian Athletes in Action
Beyond boxing, other Indian athletes are also making their mark at the Commonwealth Games. Asmita Dey won a gold medal in Judo in the women’s 48kg category. Asmita’s performance was described as calm and commanding, as she executed precise attacks and maintained control to secure a 2-1 Yuko victory against her Canadian opponent in a closely contested final. Her unbeaten run culminated in India’s latest gold medal at the Games.
In javelin, Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the men’s javelin throw event at the Scotstoun Stadium. Chopra, who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, is returning to the Games after missing the 2022 Birmingham edition due to an injury. He recently competed at the Doha Diamond League, marking his first competition of the 2026 season, where he registered a throw of 85.69 metres on his third attempt. Additionally, Tejaswin Shankar achieved a personal best in the men’s decathlon, throwing 39.66m in the discus to earn 658 points, maintaining his push for a medal.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
