Glasgow: Preeti Pawar discusses weight-cut challenges after reaching Commonwealth Games final
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar reaches the Commonwealth Games 54kg final in Glasgow, overcoming weight-cut challenges. She defeated Catherine Mwape 5-0 in the semifi
'Not able to eat food properly': Preeti Pawar reveals weight-cut struggle after reaching Commonwealth Games final
Pawar’s Path to the Final
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar has advanced to the women’s 54kg final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She secured her spot by defeating Catherine Mwape of Zambia with a 5-0 score in the semifinal match. This victory makes Preeti the first Indian boxer to reach a final in Glasgow in her category.
Preeti controlled the bout from the outset, effectively using her left straight and landing counter-attacks after drawing Mwape forward. Mwape struggled to connect with clean punches and was repeatedly beaten when Preeti combined her attacks. The Zambian boxer received three eight counts during the first two rounds, and all five judges awarded Preeti a 10-8 score in the second round, reflecting her dominance. In the final round, Mwape focused on avoiding Preeti’s attacks as the Indian boxer completed her comfortable 5-0 win.
Preeti is now set to compete against Scarlett Delgado of Canada in the gold medal bout. Delgado earned her place in the final by defeating Lauren Mackie of England 4-1 in the other semifinal.
Challenges of Weight Management
Following her semifinal win, Preeti discussed the difficulties associated with cutting weight for important bouts. She noted that athletes are often unable to eat properly during this process, describing it as a tough aspect of their training. Despite the challenges, Preeti stated that this struggle also serves as a strong motivator, pushing her forward as she approaches the final stage of the competition.
The boxer, who previously earned a bronze medal at the Asian Games, expressed satisfaction with her performance, stating that she successfully implemented her training plans. She emphasized her commitment to never underestimating opponents and always preparing thoroughly with her coaches. Preeti highlighted her happiness in being able to execute these detailed plans during her matches.
Other Indian Boxing Successes
The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have seen other Indian boxers achieve success. Jadumani secured a spot in the men’s 55kg boxing final after defeating Haoseb by unanimous decision in their semifinal match. Jadumani maintained a composed approach, relying on counter-punching while Haoseb pressed forward. All judges scored the bout in Jadumani’s favour, leading to a unanimous-decision victory. He will face Dixon in the final.
Additionally, Jaismine delivered a commanding performance to reach her boxing final. She achieved a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Maselela in the semifinal. Jaismine took control in the second round, landing powerful punches that resulted in multiple standing counts for her opponent, ultimately leading to the referee stopping the contest. Jaismine’s dominant display earned her the opportunity to compete for a gold medal.
These successes mean that Jadumani joins Ankush, Jaismine, and Arundhati in the boxing finals, marking another successful day for India’s boxing contingent at the Games.
Judo and Javelin Highlights
In other events at the Commonwealth Games, Asmita Dey clinched a gold medal for India in the women’s 48kg judo category. Asmita’s performance was described as calm and commanding, as she maintained composure under pressure and executed precise attacks. She secured a 2-1 Yuko victory against her Canadian opponent in a closely contested final, finishing her campaign unbeaten.
Meanwhile, javelin star Neeraj Chopra is set to begin his campaign to reclaim the Commonwealth Games title. He will participate in the men’s javelin throw event at the Scotstoun Stadium. Chopra, who won gold at the 2018 Games, missed the 2022 edition due to an injury. He is now returning to the Games in Glasgow with the aim of securing his second Commonwealth Games title. Chopra competed at the Doha Diamond League earlier in the 2026 season, marking his first competition after recovering from a back injury. In Doha, he registered a throw of 85.69 metres, placing him third in the standings at the end of round three.
Tejaswin Shankar also achieved a personal best in the men’s decathlon, throwing 39.66m in the discus to earn 658 points. This performance contributed to his continued push for a medal, keeping him third in the overall standings.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Rohan Gupta
Sports Reporter
