Preeti Pawar Aims for Asian Games Success After CWG Triumph

Preeti Pawar, who recently secured the 54kg title at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, is now turning her focus towards the upcoming Asian Games and her Olympic aspirations. The 22-year-old pugilist has garnered significant attention since her victory, leading to a flurry of congratulatory messages and media engagements.

Upon returning to Delhi, Pawar had a momentous meeting with key officials, including Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, where she was celebrated alongside her fellow boxing medallists.

Reflecting on her recent achievement, she expressed gratitude for the attention saying, "It feels special to get so much love and attention. Such moments are very rare in an athlete’s life, so why not enjoy it?" Pawar stated that her team was confident of surpassing their previous best Commonwealth Games medal tally, but acknowledged the overwhelming success of securing a multitude of gold medals.

Pawar, who hails from Bhiwani, has already begun preparations for the Asian Games, which are less than 50 days away in Japan. A bronze medallist at the last edition of the Games in Hangzhou, she is aware of the fierce competition that lies ahead. She commented, "It’s a very tough competition. You are bound to meet world-class boxers in every round."

She particularly noted the strength of boxers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, citing their technical skill and powerful fighting style as significant challenges. In the context of the last Asian Games, Chinese boxers had a remarkable showing, capturing four of the six available gold medals in the women’s category, which further adds to the competitive landscape.

The 54kg category, in which Pawar competed last, was won by North Korea's Pang Chol-mi, who later secured an Olympic bronze medal in Paris.

Pawar aims not only for success in the Asian Games but has set her sights even higher towards the Los Angeles Olympics. She remarked, "I want to take this momentum to the LA Olympics and win a medal there." Indian boxers have faced challenges at the Olympics, with the last three Games yielding only a singular bronze medal by Lovlina Borgohain in the pandemic-altered Tokyo Games in 2021.

Discussing the intricacies of boxing, Pawar elaborated, "You have to be a complete boxer to win at events like the Asian Games or the Olympics. A lot of times we believe throwing power punches alone will impress the judges."

She emphasised the need for strategic adaptability, recalling her Commonwealth Games final against Canada’s Scarlett Delgado, where she had to adjust her strategy mid-match, ultimately winning by unanimous decision. "You have to think on your feet. That’s why I spend time with coaches studying my opponents and planning alternate plans. I want to be a complete boxer," she concluded.

Pawar is set to participate in a national training camp beginning in Patiala on August 10, alongside a diverse group of athletes aimed at achieving their medal goals for the Games. With her recent success and focus, Preeti Pawar is firmly establishing herself as a formidable contender in the world of boxing.