Glasgow, July 29: Indian boxer Sachin Siwach shared his experience of battling nerves before stepping into the ring for the men’s 60 kg quarter-finals at the Commonwealth Games 2026. However, once the first bell rang, all his anxiety vanished. Siwach secured a place in the semi-finals by defeating Botswana’s Moremi Treasure, ensuring at least a bronze medal for India.
With a calm and precise performance, Siwach won unanimously with a score of 5-0. After the victory, he stated, “Before the match, I was nervous, but everything changed when the first bell rang. Once the bout started, my focus was entirely on my boxing and game plan.”
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Siwach emphasized the importance of respecting every opponent in such a significant event. He remarked, “You should never underestimate anyone. Every boxer here has the potential to cause an upset. I respected my opponent, maintained my composure, and executed my strategy.”
Siwach also delivered an inspiring message to the youth of India, urging them to stay disciplined and appreciate their parents’ sacrifices. He said, “My message to the youth is to respect their parents and work hard. If you remain dedicated and believe in yourself, you will surely achieve success one day.”
On the same day, female boxer Sakshi secured at least a bronze medal for India by defeating Northern Ireland’s Caitlin Fryers 5-0 in the quarter-finals of the 51 kg category. Following her win, Sakshi expressed, “This victory was crucial for me, as it guarantees my medal. This is my first Commonwealth Games, and I aimed to play a long-range game, which I succeeded in. I am happy that my hard work and the support of people have ensured this medal. I hope to turn it into gold and dedicate this win to the entire country.”
In the 80 kg quarter-finals, Ankush triumphed over Seychelles’ Jade Mycock with a score of 5-0. After his victory, Ankush stated, “I feel great after securing this medal. The journey to the finals is still ahead. I dedicate this medal to my parents, family, and coach.”
Ankush wore two different colored shoes for this match, explaining, “My coach asked me to wear different colored shoes, and I simply agreed. Today is Guru Purnima, and for me, my coach’s word is final. I want to perform even better in the semi-finals. The Boxing Federation of India is supporting us a lot. We are determined to bring home the gold.”
Narendra became the eighth Indian boxer to reach the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games 2026, defeating Samoa’s Michael Secko by a split decision of 3-2 in the men’s 90 kg+ quarter-finals. After securing his medal, Narendra said, “I had watched Secko’s bout. We had a plan against him, and I played according to that strategy. On this occasion of Guru Purnima, I dedicate this medal to my coach Devaraj Sir, who is no longer with us. We must continue to work hard; winning and losing are part of the game. However, avoiding injuries is crucial.”
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