Commonwealth Games 2026: Who is Sakshi Choudhary?

Indian boxer Sakshi Chaudhary took a gamble before the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. A regular in the 54kg category, Sakshi decided to reduce her weight category to 51kg after the quota in her preferred division had already been secured.

And the decision has already paid off, with the Indian boxer guaranteeing herself at least a bronze medal.

Early days

Sakshi hails from Bhiwani, the hub of Indian boxing. As a child, Sakshi used to pick up fights and hit anyone. In order to channel her energy, her parents introduced her to boxing in 2012. He had taken inspiration from Vijender Singh’s bronze-winning performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She started training under Jagdish Singh, a renowned coach who trained Vijender Singh, in 2012.

Over the years Sakshi has established herself as one of the strong emerging talents in Indian boxing. The 24-year-old was part of the national camp in National Institute of Sports, Patiala and is currently serving as a havaldar in the Indian Army.

Rise through the ranks

Sakshi is a 2015 junior World Championship who beat US National Champion Yarisel Ramirez in the finals of the AIBA Junior Women’s World Championships in 2015, in Taipei.

Sakshi is also a two-time youth World Championship gold medalist. She won gold in the women’s 54kg category at the World Boxing Cup in Astana last year.

She defeated two of the country’s biggest names including multiple-time world champion Nikhat Zareen and former national champion Minakshi Hooda to earn her place in the Commonwealth Games squad.

Her journey to reduce three kilos from her regular weight category was a journey in itself. It required a strict diet, no chapatis for more than a month and surviving on sprouts, curd and some paneer.

Eyes on Glasgow

In Glasgow, Sakshi is competing in women’s 51kg which is a new category for her. She was a regular in the 54kg category, Sakshi decided to drop down to the 51kg division after consulting her coaches, as the quota in her usual weight class had already been secured by Preeti Pawar.

Sakshi advanced to the women's 51kg semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow by defeating Northern Ireland's Caitlin Fryers 5-0. This win guaranteed her at least a bronze medal.