CWG 2026: Sachin eyes gold after 4-1 win books 60kg quarterfinal spot
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Indian boxer Sachin stormed into the men's 60kg quarterfinals at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on 27 July, defeating England's William Hewitt by a 4-1 split decision in the Round of 16 — and made clear he is not in Scotland merely for a podium finish. 'The aim is to get gold,' he declared after the bout.
How the Bout Unfolded
Sachin dictated the contest through disciplined ring craft, combining clean punching with measured footwork to control the pace across three rounds. Four judges — from Kazakhstan, Canada, Mexico, and Morocco — scored the bout 29-27 in the Indian's favour, while the Turkish judge awarded the same score to the English boxer. A one-point deduction against Sachin during the contest had little bearing on the final outcome.
'It was a tough bout. Everything I followed was going well. However, it was a bit…in the middle. Otherwise, the bout was clear,' Sachin said after the victory.
Corner Support Proved Crucial
Sachin credited his coaching staff for steadying him during the tighter passages of the fight. 'After listening to the coaches, my morale only boosted,' he said. The admission underlines the role of corner management in high-stakes amateur boxing, where tactical adjustments between rounds can swing a close contest.
Gold the Only Target
With a quarterfinal win now guaranteeing him at least a Commonwealth Games medal, Sachin refused to settle for bronze. 'Now that a medal is at stake, I'll look for gold. I had come with the mindset of winning gold only, and the aim is to get it,' he stated. The declaration sets the tone for what could be a defining run in the latter stages of the tournament.
Early Preparation Behind the Campaign
Sachin also pointed to meticulous pre-Games planning as the foundation of his performance. 'Preparations had started very early, as to how to play against which opponent. And that's what's going well,' he said. The opponent-specific strategy was visible against Hewitt, as Sachin adjusted his approach to neutralise the home crowd advantage the English boxer carried into the arena.
Having cleared the Round of 16, Sachin now enters the quarterfinals knowing one more win locks in a medal — but his sights are set considerably higher as India's boxing campaign at CWG 2026 gathers momentum.