New Delhi, August 6: The performance of Indian boxers at the 2026 Commonwealth Games was remarkable, with the country securing a total of 10 medals, including 7 golds. Women’s boxer Preeti Pawar made headlines by clinching a gold medal in Glasgow, Scotland. She shared that her family was overjoyed upon her return with the medal.
In an exclusive interview, Preeti discussed the challenges of weight management for boxers and her preparations for the Asian Games. She noted that her experience at the Asian Championship last March would benefit her in the upcoming games.
Question: What was your family’s reaction when you won the medal?
Answer: My family’s reaction was incredibly positive. Words can’t express it fully. They feel immense pride that I won a gold medal for the country.
Question: How difficult is the weight loss process?
Answer: Losing weight is definitely a challenge. It varies from athlete to athlete. Some find it hard, while others manage it easily. Personally, I’ve been doing this for a long time. Before a bout, I typically lose about 1.5 kilograms. The key is to monitor what we eat, especially before the match. In the final hours, we need to shed 1 to 1.5 kilograms, after which we don’t eat anything. Once we weigh in, we recover and rehydrate. It’s crucial to pay attention to these details. I ensure that it doesn’t affect my performance and focus on how to rehydrate.
Question: How does an athlete prepare for the next match after weight loss?
Answer: We have at least three hours between weigh-in and the match, depending on our morning and evening sessions. In the evening, we have more time to recover. I plan my strategy a day in advance. The match starts at 11 AM, so I aim to weigh in by 6:30 AM and rehydrate around 7 AM. Proper nutrition is essential. If time permits, I take a short nap before preparing for the match. Visualization helps me mentally prepare. I like to imagine the match beforehand, which aids my readiness.
Question: How is your preparation for the Asian Games?
Answer: I am gearing up for the Asian Games, and I anticipate it will be tough since many strong countries excel in boxing. However, winning the gold at the Asian Championship last March was a fantastic experience for me. Most of the same countries will participate in the Asian Games, so I expect to face similar opponents. Afterward, I will discuss with my coaches what areas I need to work on and our game plan for the Asian Games during our training camp.
Question: You created a quilling project for Tejaswin Shankar, which he shared. Do you often do this for your teammates?
Answer: Yes, whenever I have free time, I enjoy quilling. Before heading to the Commonwealth Games, we had a training camp in Belfast. Whenever I was free, I worked on quilling. I made a poster for Tejaswin, and he loved it. I’ve created several posters for my teammates as well. I find quilling and calligraphy enjoyable. It helps me take my mind off sports for a while. Personally, I believe that overthinking isn’t beneficial. Quilling helps me manage pressure and feel relaxed.
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