Glasgow: Preeti Pawar discusses weight-cut challenges after reaching Commonwealth Games final

By Arjun Nair / 31.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 31 July 2026 — 4 min read

Indian boxer Preeti Pawar has spoken about the difficulties of managing weight before significant bouts, noting that athletes face challenges with proper nutrition. Despite this, she stated that the process also serves as a motivator, especially after securing her place in the women’s 54kg final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Preeti became the first Indian boxer to advance to a final in Glasgow following her unanimous 5-0 victory over Catherine Mwape of Zambia in the women’s 54kg semifinal. She is now set to compete against Scarlett Delgado of Canada in the gold medal bout. Delgado earned her spot in the final by defeating Lauren Mackie of England with a 4-1 decision in the other semifinal.

Reflecting on her win, Preeti acknowledged the demanding nature of weight management as part of her training. She highlighted that while it is tough due to dietary restrictions, the proximity to a final provides strong motivation.

The boxer from Bhiwani, who previously secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games, demonstrated control throughout her semifinal match. She effectively utilized her left straight and repeatedly landed counter-attacks after drawing Mwape forward. Mwape struggled to connect with clean punches and was often overwhelmed when Preeti launched combinations.

Preeti expressed satisfaction with her performance, stating that she was able to execute her prepared strategy. She emphasized her commitment to performing her best in the upcoming gold medal match and mentioned her consistent approach of not underestimating opponents, always preparing thoroughly with her coaches. She also noted her success in implementing these detailed plans during her bouts.

During the semifinal, Mwape received three eight-counts across the first two rounds, indicating Preeti’s dominance. The judges’ scorecards reflected this control, with all five judges awarding Preeti a 10-8 score in the second round. With the outcome largely determined, Mwape spent the final round attempting to evade Preeti’s attacks, as the Indian boxer comfortably sealed her 5-0 victory to advance to the final.

In other boxing developments, Jadumani secured his place in the men’s 55kg boxing final by defeating Haoseb via unanimous decision in their semifinal match. Jadumani maintained a composed strategy in the final round, focusing on counter-punching as Haoseb pressed for an opening. Despite his opponent’s aggressive approach, Jadumani remained disciplined, avoiding unnecessary risks. All judges scored the bout in Jadumani’s favor, confirming his unanimous decision victory. Jadumani is scheduled to face Dixon in the gold medal bout on Friday, joining Ankush, Jaismine, and Arundhati in the boxing finals, marking a successful day for India’s boxing contingent.

Jadumani started his semifinal strongly, winning the opening round after impressing the judges with a powerful finish. Although Haoseb appeared more aggressive early on, Jadumani displayed strong defensive skills, evading many incoming punches before finding his rhythm. He landed several clean blows midway through the round and concluded it with a powerful punch that influenced the judges’ decision. All five judges awarded Jadumani the opening round, giving him an early advantage.

Jaismine also delivered a commanding performance, securing her spot in the boxing final with a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Maselela in her semifinal. Jaismine took control in the second round, landing a series of powerful punches that led to a standing count for her opponent. She continued her relentless pressure, giving Maselela little chance to recover. A second standing count followed, and with Maselela unable to withstand the continuous barrage, the referee issued a third standing count before stopping the contest. This RSC victory propels Jaismine into the final, where she will compete for a gold medal after a dominant semifinal display.

Meanwhile, Asmita Dey clinched a gold medal for India in Judo in the women’s 48kg category. Asmita delivered a calm and commanding performance, maintaining composure under pressure throughout the contest. She executed her attacks with precision and controlled the match to narrowly defeat her Canadian opponent in a closely contested final. Her 2-1 Yuko victory secured India’s latest gold medal, with Asmita concluding her campaign unbeaten and atop the podium after an impressive run.

In javelin, Neeraj Chopra is set to begin his attempt to reclaim the Commonwealth Games title in the men’s javelin throw event at the Scotstoun Stadium on Thursday. Chopra, who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, missed the Birmingham 2022 edition due to an injury. The Olympic medallist returns to the Games in Glasgow aiming for his second Commonwealth Games title. He recently competed at the Doha Diamond League, his first competition of the 2026 season after recovering from a back injury. In Doha, he registered a throw of 85.69 metres on his third attempt, moving to third in the standings at the end of round three.

Tejaswin Shankar also achieved a personal best in the men’s decathlon, throwing 39.66m in the discus, earning 658 points. Shankar, who also set a personal best in the long jump on Day 1, maintained his third position in the overall standings as he continued his pursuit of a Commonwealth Games medal.

Preeti Pawar’s victory ensures her participation in the gold medal bout.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com