Five Indian Girls Make History at Commonwealth Games
Five girls from India have taken the spotlight with their remarkable achievements at the Commonwealth Games. These talented athletes have not only won gold medals, but they also represent the spirit of ‘Naari Shakti’—the power of women. Yet, many may not be aware of the challenges they faced to reach the top.
Pooja Shali recently met with these champions in Delhi, uncovering their inspiring journeys from their hometowns to Glasgow.
Arundhati Chaudhary’s Bold Path
Arundhati Chaudhary hails from Kota, Rajasthan, a city famous for its coaching centers for medical and engineering students. Her father hoped she would follow that traditional path, but Arundhati had other dreams.
“I loved boxing and often found myself getting into fights at school,” she shared. “Once, I even got suspended for it!”
While her father envisioned her attending an IIT, Arundhati chose to take a different route: “He suggested I consider individual sports, and that’s how I picked boxing.”
Breaking away from expectations, Arundhati playfully coined a new term: “Goon Girls,” highlighting the strength and resilience of girls like her.
Haryana’s Boxing Powerhouse
Four out of the five champions come from Bhiwani, Haryana—a place affectionately nicknamed ‘Mini Cuba’ for its boxing talent.
Priya Ghangas started her boxing journey at the age of ten. “I was a bit of a troublemaker and enjoyed fighting, so boxing felt rewarding,” she recalled. Inspired by Olympian Vijender Singh, Priya went on to clinch a gold medal.
Sakshi Chaudhary made a daring decision to shift weight categories. “I went from 54 kg to 51 kg,” she explained, sharing her rigorous preparations. “We had to go without food and water the night before the matches. Initially, I was overwhelmed by the big international crowd. But as I won each bout, my confidence grew.”
Jasmine Lamboria faced severe health challenges just weeks before her matches. “I was sick for almost a month with a high bacterial infection and was nervous since my bout was only 20 days away,” she said. However, she pushed through and ended up performing well.
Preeti Pawar emphasized the mental aspect of training: “I focused on keeping my mind fit to overcome any physical challenges.”
Though boxing is not yet a mainstream sport in India, the recent successes of these athletes are helping to change that perception, paving the way for future generations.
These five gold medalists are not just champions in the ring; they are role models, showcasing the power of perseverance and passion.
