Preeti Pawar Wins India’s First Boxing Gold at Commonwealth Games 2026

Indian boxer Preeti Pawar won the women’s 54kg gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday. The 22-year-old defeated Canada’s Scarlett Delgado by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the final. With this victory, Preeti gave India its first boxing gold medal of the Games. It is another big milestone in her career after winning a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games.

Strong Performance in the Final

Preeti looked confident from the opening round and stayed in control throughout the match. She displayed excellent speed, smart movement, and accurate punches to outclass Scarlett Delgado. All five judges ruled in her favour, giving the Indian boxer a convincing 5-0 win. Her dominant performance showed the hard work and determination she has put into reaching the top level of international boxing.

Journey Filled With Challenges

Preeti’s road to success was not easy. She faced many difficulties, including social barriers and health problems. Before the Paris Olympics 2024, she suffered from Hepatitis A, which affected her preparations. Her mother, Salin Devi, also shared that Preeti was not interested in boxing when she first started. However, her uncle Vinod, a boxing coach and national-level medalist, encouraged her to take up the sport.

Salin Devi said, “In the beginning, she did not like playing boxing that much. Her uncle, who was a boxing coach, was the one who encouraged her to get into it, thinking she could progress in this field. Since her coach was from within the family, it helped build trust. Eight or ten years ago, families were often hesitant to let girls travel for sports.”

Double Gold Joy for India

India celebrated another major success as Jaismine Lamboria won the women’s 57kg gold medal on the same day. The reigning world champion defeated Northern Ireland’s defending champion Michaela Walsh by a 5-0 unanimous decision. After a closely fought opening round, Jaismine took complete control in the second round with powerful punches and impressive technique. The two gold medals from Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria gave India a memorable day in boxing at the Commonwealth Games and highlighted the growing strength of Indian women boxers on the international stage.