Preeti Pawar’s Path to the Final
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar has reached the final of the women’s 54kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She secured her spot by defeating Catherine Mwape of Zambia with a 5-0 unanimous decision in the semifinal. Pawar is now set to compete for the gold medal against Scarlett Delgado of Canada, who advanced after a 4-1 victory over England’s Lauren Mackie in her semifinal bout.
During her semifinal match, Pawar demonstrated strong control, using her left straight effectively and landing counter-attacks after drawing Mwape forward. The 22-year-old, an Asian Games bronze medallist, managed to implement her strategic plans, which she prepares in detail with her coaches. Mwape struggled to land clean punches and received three eight counts across the first two rounds, reflecting Pawar’s dominance. All five judges awarded Pawar a 10-8 score in the second round, leading to a comfortable 5-0 victory.
Pawar acknowledged the challenges of weight cutting, a common aspect of boxing training. She stated that while it is difficult due to restrictions on food intake, it also serves as a strong motivator, especially when nearing a final. She expressed happiness with her performance and her ability to execute her training, emphasizing her commitment to giving her best in the upcoming gold medal match.
Other Indian Boxers in Finals and Judo Gold
Ankush Panghal also secured his place in a Commonwealth Games boxing final, triumphing over Joshua Ofori of Canada with a 5-0 unanimous decision in the 80kg category. His dominant performance ensures another medal for India’s boxing contingent. Panghal joins Preeti Pawar, Jaismine, and Arundhati in reaching the boxing finals, marking a successful period for Indian boxing at the Games.
Jaismine advanced to her final with a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory against Maselela in her semifinal. She took control in the second round, delivering powerful punches that led to multiple standing counts for her opponent, ultimately resulting in the referee stopping the contest. This dominant display secured her opportunity to compete for a gold medal.
In another event, Asmita Dey clinched a gold medal for India in Judo, winning the women’s 48kg category. Dey delivered a composed and commanding performance, maintaining control and executing precise attacks. She secured a 2-1 Yuko victory against her Canadian opponent in a closely contested final, completing her campaign unbeaten and atop the podium.
Jadumani’s Progress and Javelin Expectations
Jadumani also booked his spot in the men’s 55kg boxing final, defeating Haoseb by unanimous decision in his semifinal. He started positively, impressing judges with a strong finish in the opening round. Despite Haoseb’s aggressive approach, Jadumani displayed excellent defensive skills and relied on counter-punching in the final round. All judges scored the bout in Jadumani’s favour, securing his place in the gold medal match against Dixon on Friday.
Meanwhile, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to begin his campaign to reclaim the Commonwealth Games title. Chopra, who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, missed the Birmingham 2022 edition due to an injury. The Olympic medallist will compete in the men’s javelin throw event at the Scotstoun Stadium on Thursday, aiming for his second Commonwealth Games title. Chopra recently competed at the Doha Diamond League, marking his first competition of the 2026 season after recovering from a back injury, where he registered a throw of 85.69 metres.
Tejaswin Shankar also achieved a personal best in the men’s decathlon, throwing 39.66m in the discus, earning 658 points. He continues his push for a Commonwealth Games medal, having also set a personal best in the long jump on Day 1 of the competition.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
