Indian boxer Preeti Pawar stormed into the women's 54 kg final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on Friday, 31 July, becoming the first Indian boxer to secure a final berth at these Games — and then spoke candidly about the physical toll of weight cutting ahead of the gold-medal bout.

What Preeti Said About Weight Cutting

Speaking after her semifinal victory, Preeti did not shy away from describing the harsh realities of making weight. '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. The admission offers a rare public window into the gruelling discipline that combat sport athletes endure between bouts, often going hours without adequate nutrition to stay within their weight category.

How She Won the Semifinal

Preeti defeated Zambia's Catherine Mwape by a commanding 5-0 unanimous decision in the women's 54 kg semifinal. The bout started evenly, but Preeti quickly seized control with sharp jabs and powerful left hands, forcing Mwape to take her first standing eight-count. Despite Mwape's persistent forward pressure, Preeti stayed composed, landing clean combinations and a solid right hand to force two more standing counts on the Zambian. Fluid footwork and accurate body shots sealed the dominant win.

The semifinal run was built on equally impressive earlier performances. Preeti advanced from the Round of 16 after the referee stopped the contest in the second round against Malawi's Mtenje, and then recorded a unanimous decision victory over Nicole Clyde of Northern Ireland in the quarterfinal.

Silver Already Secured, Eyes on Gold

The semifinal win guarantees Preeti Pawar at least a silver medal for India — but she made clear that silver is not the target. '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. She faces Canada's Scarlett Delgado in the gold-medal contest.

Army Honour and Institutional Support

Preeti carries a distinction beyond the ring: she became the first woman athlete in India to be directly inducted into the Indian Army at the rank of Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) last year. She acknowledged the role of her institutional backers in reaching this stage. '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. She also credited the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and JSW Sports for their continuous support.

With a gold-medal final ahead against a strong Canadian opponent, all eyes will be on whether Preeti can convert India's guaranteed silver into historic gold at CWG 2026.