Sakshi Chaudhary vows to target Asian Games gold after Commonwealth success
Speaking to The Hindu on August 20, 2026, Army havildar and former World junior and youth champion Sakshi Chaudhary reflected on her Commonwealth Games women's 51kg final win in Glasgow, a unanimous decision over England’s Ruby White that ended White’s 68-bout unbeaten run.
Chaudhary said she moved down from 54kg to 51kg to secure a place on the Commonwealth Games-bound Indian team after Preeti Pawar’s Asian Championships gold left the 54kg category without trials; she described the decision as risky but driven by a strong desire to compete. She noted previous experience at lower weights, having fought at 50kg at the 2023 National Games, and acknowledged the physical challenges of cutting weight. The victory in Glasgow followed that gamble and brought her a first multi-sport Games medal.
On the weight cut, Chaudhary described an intensive, short-term process: "I managed my weight within 20-25 days. I had almost stopped eating. I used to drink very little water." She added that extra training and wearing a hot suit after sessions were part of the regime and that maintaining performance while reducing weight was “very difficult.”
Addressing her conditioning and the Glasgow final, Chaudhary said, "Endurance is my strong point. I am the best in endurance and running in the camp. We also train very hard in the Army. I did not have to work much on endurance and strength." About the title fight, she said, "The final bout was with Ruby White, the England boxer. Before the final, she had not lost a single bout in her life. She was always winning. I stuck to my strategy to win my first medal in a multi-sport event."
Chaudhary outlined the support structure around the squad, saying, "The training environment is very good. Mentally, we are free. Technically, we are very good. The coaching staff show us videos of different bouts. It is not only the athlete who boxes in the ring. There are support staff, including coaches, physios, and psychologists. Our nutritionist used to give us a diet chart of what to eat and what was available there. So everyone has a hand in the success." She also admitted the selection-trials uncertainty affected mental preparation: "Yes, we needed to stay focused, but the stress had increased a little bit because we did not know whether the trials were happening and when they were happening. We had to manage our weight. There was uncertainty."
On the personal significance of the medal, Chaudhary said, "This is the biggest achievement for me till date, so it means a lot to me. I have been boxing for 14 years." She credited family support, citing her father and cousin Vinit as key motivators throughout her career. Regarding peers, she recalled childhood friend Nitu Ghanghas and said, "Yes. I was very happy when she won the gold medal at the last Commonwealth Games. This time I have brought it home, so she is also happy with my medal. Had she been in my weight, we would have fought in the ring, but we would have remained friends."
On learning from established fighters and refining her own game, Chaudhary said, "No one takes anyone’s place. Everyone performs and gives her best. So I will also give my best. And I will try my best to make India famous." She identified an area for technical improvement, saying, "I can work a little on the clinch. Because my long-distance game is good. I mean, I play by keeping the opponent away. I get a height advantage. But when the opponent comes close, I have a little difficulty. So we will work on that."
Having been photographed at felicitation events and preparing to return to the national camp, Chaudhary confirmed plans to resume squad training ahead of the Asian Games and stated her objective plainly: "So I will keep my focus and will try to win a gold medal there too."
