Narender Berwal tells PM Modi: Pakistani boxer 'hates the name Narendra'
Synopsis
Boxer Narender Berwal's retelling of a Pakistani opponent's exasperation with the name 'Narendra' gave PM Modi an unexpected laugh — but the real story is India's record boxing haul in Glasgow: 10 medals, seven of them gold, the best performance by any nation in Commonwealth Games boxing history.
Key Takeaways
Narender Berwal met PM Modi in New Delhi and recounted how a Pakistani opponent at the 2015 World Military Games said he 'hates the name Narendra.' Berwal won the silver medal in the men's 90+kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow .
India's boxing team set a new Commonwealth Games record with 10 medals — 7 gold and 3 silver .
India finished fourth overall in Glasgow with 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver, 9 bronze) .
Ahmedabad will host the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030 , with the baton formally handed over at the closing ceremony.
Indian boxer Narender Berwal brought a moment of laughter to his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Sunday, recounting how a Pakistani opponent had grown humorously exasperated with the name 'Narendra' after losing to him at the 2015 World Military Games. The anecdote surfaced during Modi's interaction with Indian athletes following the country's record-breaking campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.
The Anecdote That Made Modi Laugh
Berwal, who claimed the silver medal in the men's 90+kg category at the Commonwealth Games, told the Prime Minister that his Pakistani opponent had been left bewildered upon discovering a striking coincidence — that the name 'Narendra' belonged not only to Berwal himself, but also to his coach and to India's head of government.
'Your name is Narender, your coach's name is Narender, and your Prime Minister's name is Narendra. I have started to hate the name Narendra,' Berwal quoted his Pakistani opponent as saying, drawing a warm reaction from Modi during the interaction.
India's Historic Boxing Haul at Commonwealth Games 2026
Berwal was among a contingent of Indian athletes who called on Modi following India's best-ever boxing performance at a Commonwealth Games. The boxing team returned from Glasgow with 10 medals — seven gold and three silver — surpassing the previous record of six gold medals held jointly by England (achieved in 1934 and 2018) and Canada (in 1986).
The gold medal winners were Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), and Ankush Panghal (80kg). Jadumani Singh (55kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), and Berwal (90+kg) took the silver medals.
India Finishes Fourth Overall in Glasgow
Across all disciplines, India concluded the 11-day Commonwealth Games with 39 medals — 13 gold, 17 silver, and 9 bronze — finishing fourth in the overall medal table. The closing ceremony saw Scotland formally transfer the Games flag and ceremonial baton to India, with Ahmedabad confirmed as host city for the landmark centenary edition of the multi-sport event in 2030.
PM Modi's Message to the Athletes
Prime Minister Modi congratulated the medal winners for their dedication and hard work, saying they had brought honour to the country. The meeting was part of a broader tradition of the Prime Minister hosting returning athletes after major international competitions — a practice that has become a signature feature of his engagements with India's sporting community.
Point of View
But the larger story it sits inside deserves more attention. India's seven boxing golds in Glasgow are not a fluke — they reflect a decade of structural investment in high-performance boxing, particularly in women's categories. Lovlina Borgohain's silver notwithstanding, the depth of the squad — seven different gold medallists across seven weight classes — signals a pipeline, not a peak. The Ahmedabad 2030 baton handover adds institutional pressure: India must now perform as host, not just participant.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Narender Berwal tell PM Modi about the Pakistani boxer?
Berwal recounted that his Pakistani opponent at the 2015 World Military Games was stunned to learn that Berwal, his coach, and India's Prime Minister all shared the name 'Narendra', prompting the opponent to say he had 'started to hate the name Narendra.' The story drew a light-hearted response from Modi during their meeting in New Delhi.
What medal did Narender Berwal win at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Narender Berwal won the silver medal in the men's 90+kg boxing category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Glasgow.
How many medals did India win in boxing at Commonwealth Games 2026?
India won a record 10 boxing medals at Commonwealth Games 2026 — seven gold and three silver — the best-ever boxing performance by any nation at the Commonwealth Games, surpassing the previous record of six gold medals held by England and Canada.
Where did India finish in the overall Commonwealth Games 2026 medal tally?
India finished fourth in the overall medal tally at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, with 39 medals — 13 gold, 17 silver, and 9 bronze.
Which city will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030?
Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the centenary edition of the event. Scotland formally handed the Games flag and ceremonial baton to India at the closing ceremony in Glasgow.
