Glasgow, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar advanced to the women’s 54 kg final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Friday, defeating Zambia’s Catherine Mwape by a unanimous 5-0 decision to assure India of at least a silver medal.
After booking her place in the title clash, Preeti spoke about the physical challenge of cutting weight before major bouts, describing it as one of the toughest aspects of the sport.
“It is a part of our training. It motivates us. It is a little tough because we are not able to eat food properly. But it motivates us that we are one step away from the final,” she said.
Preeti will now face Canada’s Scarlett Delgado in the gold medal bout.
The Indian boxer continued her dominant run in the tournament after earlier defeating Malawi’s Mtenje via referee stoppage in the Round of 16 and registering a unanimous decision victory over Northern Ireland’s Nicole Clyde in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinal, Preeti gradually took control after an even start, using sharp jabs and accurate combinations to keep her Zambian opponent on the back foot. Catherine Mwape was handed three standing eight-counts during the contest as Preeti maintained her dominance with effective movement and precise body shots.
Expressing happiness after securing at least a silver medal, Preeti said she was fully focused on winning gold for India.
“I am very happy that I have secured a silver medal for India. I will give my best tomorrow in the final bout. I will win the gold for India,” she said, while thanking the Indian Army, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and JSW Sports for their support.
Preeti, who became the first woman athlete to be directly inducted into the Indian Army as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) last year, also expressed gratitude to the Army.
“I am very grateful to the Indian Army. They chose me, and I will give my best. I will make all Indians and soldiers proud,” she said.
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