Commonwealth Games 2026: India's Debutant Duo Arundhati & Sakshi Choudhary Chase Boxing Glory

India has sent a strong contingent of pugilists, which includes 14 boxers- 7 male boxers and 7 female boxers to the upcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG), which is scheduled to begin from July 23. In a truncated CWG, boxing will be one of the major medal hopes for India. Over the years, the sport has been one of India's most successful hunting grounds for medals, with 44 medals to date. India will be looking to extend that tally and continue its strong run.

Out of the boxers selected to represent India at the global level are also debutants Arundhati Choudhary and Sakshi Chaudhary. Asian champion Arundhati Choudhary qualified for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in the women's 70kg category after securing the designated quota. The first female boxer from Rajasthan to achieve the feat, she overcame a hand fracture earlier this year and now heads into her Commonwealth Games debut fully fit and confident.

Sakshi Chaudhary earned her maiden Commonwealth Games berth by defeating world champion Nikhat Zareen and Asian champion Minakshi Hooda in the selection trials. The 51kg boxer further boosted her credentials by winning gold at the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in Czechia and enters Glasgow 2026 as a strong medal contender.

Arundhati Highlights Role Of SAI In Her CWG Preparations

Arundhati, who recently became the first female boxer from Rajasthan to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, highlighted the role of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) during her preparatory phase.

Speaking to SAI, she said, "People often say that parents provide the biggest support, but along with them, we also receive tremendous support from SAI and the BFI. Our preparation has been so good that we are going there with only one goal: to win the gold medal. We are fully prepared for that."

She also credited the TOPS and Khelo India schemes for easing the financial burden on athletes, saying the programmes provide monthly assistance and facilitate overseas training with access to physiotherapists and personal coaches, allowing Indian boxers to prepare at the highest level.

Sakshi's Promise To Repeat Mary Kom & Nikhat Zareen's Feat

Sakshi Chaudhary believes she is ready to follow in the footsteps of Indian boxing greats Mary Kom and Nikhat Zareen as she prepares for her maiden Commonwealth Games appearance in Glasgow. After defeating reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen in the national selection trials, the 51kg boxer said the victory reinforced her belief in her hard work while acknowledging the former world champion as one of India's finest boxers.

Representing India at the Commonwealth Games, Sakshi said, is a moment of immense pride, with her only goal being to win a gold medal for the country. She enters Glasgow carrying an impressive pedigree, having won world titles at the junior and youth levels before adding a World Cup gold medal in 2025. Inspired by Olympic medallist Vijender Singh. The Indian boxer also credits Virat Kohli as her role model.

Sponsored by the Indian batting great for the past three years, she revealed that Kohli advised her to block out the pressure of expectations and focus solely on giving her best. Armed with that mindset, Sakshi hopes to emulate the Commonwealth Games success of Mary Kom and Nikhat Zareen by standing atop the podium in Glasgow.