Asian Games 2026: Sakshi Chaudhary beats Paris Olympic bronze medallist Villegas 5-0
Synopsis
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sakshi Chaudhary needed no settling-in time on her Asian Games debut — she dismantled Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aira Villegas 5-0 with a perfect scorecard. Next up: reigning 51kg world champion Alua Balkibekova on Thursday, a bout that could define India's medal chances in women's boxing at Nishio.
Key Takeaways
Sakshi Chaudhary defeated Aira Villegas (Philippines) by a 5-0 unanimous decision in the Asian Games 2026 preliminary round on 22 September .
Villegas is the Paris Olympics 2024 bronze medallist; Chaudhary won every round 10-9 on all five judges' scorecards.
Chaudhary advances to the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday , where she faces 51kg world champion Alua Balkibekova .
Earlier in 2026, Chaudhary won CWG gold after beating two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen in trials and Minakshi Hooda in the selection final.
It was Chaudhary's Asian Games debut , contested at the Nishio Gymnasium , Japan.
Sakshi Chaudhary, the Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallist, opened her Asian Games 2026 campaign with a commanding 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aira Villegas of the Philippines in the preliminary round at the Nishio Gymnasium on Tuesday, 22 September. The win propels Chaudhary into the pre-quarterfinals of the women's 51kg boxing event on her Asiad debut.
How the Bout Unfolded
Chaudhary controlled all three rounds, winning each by a 10-9 scoreline from all five judges. Her precise combination punching proved too much for the Filipino southpaw, who had claimed bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The verdict was never in doubt — Chaudhary dictated the tempo from the opening bell and gave Villegas little room to settle.
What's Next: A Date with the World Champion
The pre-quarterfinal matchup raises the stakes considerably. Chaudhary will face Alua Balkibekova, the reigning 51kg world champion, on Thursday in what promises to be a stern test of her credentials. Balkibekova is widely regarded as the gold-medal favourite in the weight class.
The Path That Led Here
Chaudhary's rise to the Asian Games has been built on high-profile scalps. In the selection trials for Commonwealth Games 2026, she defeated two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen in the semifinals — dropping down from 54kg to compete at 51kg — before outpointing reigning world champion Minakshi Hooda in the final to earn her berth. At the CWG 2026 itself, she secured gold with a 5-0 victory over England's Ruby White in the final.
Sakshi in Her Own Words
'Winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games is a dream come true moment for me. And now my complete focus is on the Asian Games. These are the platforms that I have always aimed at, and I want to give the best of my abilities,' Chaudhary had said after her CWG triumph. On her motivation, she added: 'I play for my country. This constant thought pumps me up and gives me the strength and courage to do better than the last match I played.'
Chaudhary also signalled intent heading into the Asiad: 'I will begin my training for the Asian Games now. I have learnt a lot from my Commonwealth matches, and I will always cherish this experience.' With her pre-quarters spot secured, all eyes now turn to Thursday's showdown against Balkibekova.
Point of View
Not a routine result. What makes Sakshi Chaudhary's trajectory genuinely noteworthy is the calibre of opponents she has already cleared — Nikhat Zareen, Minakshi Hooda, Aira Villegas — before reaching the knockout rounds. The Balkibekova bout on Thursday is the real referendum on whether India has a world-class 51kg boxer or simply a domestic-circuit standout who punches up occasionally. If Chaudhary can extend her unanimous-decision dominance against the world champion, the conversation around India's women's boxing depth changes meaningfully ahead of the next Olympic cycle.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sakshi Chaudhary and why is she competing at the Asian Games 2026?
Sakshi Chaudhary is an Indian boxer competing in the women's 51kg category. She earned her Asian Games 2026 berth after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games 2026, having earlier defeated two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen and reigning world champion Minakshi Hooda in national selection trials.
What was the result of Sakshi Chaudhary vs Aira Villegas at Asian Games 2026?
Sakshi Chaudhary won by a unanimous 5-0 decision, taking each of the three rounds 10-9 on all five judges' scorecards. Villegas, the Paris 2024 Olympics bronze medallist, could not cope with Chaudhary's precise punching throughout the bout.
Who will Sakshi Chaudhary fight in the pre-quarterfinals?
Chaudhary will face Alua Balkibekova, the reigning 51kg world champion, in the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday at the Nishio Gymnasium. It is considered the toughest test of her Asian Games campaign so far.
What is Sakshi Chaudhary's record against top-ranked opponents?
Chaudhary has beaten two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen and reigning world champion Minakshi Hooda in the CWG 2026 selection trials, then defeated England's Ruby White 5-0 in the CWG final, and now Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aira Villegas at the Asian Games.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 boxing bouts being held?
The boxing events at Asian Games 2026 are being held at the Nishio Gymnasium in Nishio, Japan. Sakshi Chaudhary's preliminary-round win over Villegas took place there on 22 September 2026.
