Five gold medallists from Bhiwani power India’s best-ever CWG boxing haul

For many years, the dusty city of Bhiwani, about 100 km away from Delhi, has punched far above its weight in boxing rings around the globe. On Sunday (August 2, 2026), Bhiwani’s boxers scripted historical past for India on the Glasgow Commonwealth Video games, powering the nation to a haul of ten medals, its best-ever efficiency within the sport on the Video games. Of the seven gold medallists, 5 come from Bhiwani.

Bhiwani district is commonly hailed because the ‘Mini Cuba’ of India, a tribute to the Caribbean island nation that has produced a slew of famed boxers. India’s first boxer to win an Olympic medal, Vijender Singh, shot the city into the worldwide highlight in 2008, successful a bronze at Beijing and sparking a successful streak for dozens of different boxers from Bhiwani.

Bhiwani’s new champions

This time spherical, 4 Bhiwani girls climbed the rostrum in Glasgow — Sakshi Chaudhary (51 kg), Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), and Priya Ghanghas (60 kg) — together with one man, Sachin Siwach (60 kg).

A fellow Haryanvi, Ankush Panghal, gained gold within the 80 kg class, whereas the seventh gold went to Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) of Rajasthan. Within the silver class, Narender Berwal (90+ kg) from Sorkhi village in Hansi additionally introduced house a medal for Haryana. The opposite two silvers had been gained by Jadumani Singh (55 kg) of Manipur and Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg) of Assam.

Hometown celebration

Again house in Bhiwani’s Dhanana village, it was a second of delight for Ms. Ghanghas’s household. Her father Mahendra informed reporters that the whole village would welcome her house.

Talking about her self-discipline, he mentioned her eating regimen of “churma, kheer, curd and milk” had performed an enormous position. “Each mum or dad ought to take a lesson from Priya: encourage your youngsters to take up sports activities and work arduous,” he mentioned.

Return to choice trials

Jagdish Singh, who coaches gold medallist Ms. Chaudhary, additionally heads the Bhiwani Boxing Membership that has performed a serious position in scripting Bhiwani’s dominance within the sport. Chatting with The Hindu over the cellphone, he credited the report medal haul to a serious change within the choice course of for the 2026 Video games. Following backlash from gamers and intervention by the Sports activities Authority of India, the Boxing Federation of India scrapped its controversial points-based “evaluation” system and reverted to open, trial-based choices, he mentioned.

“For the final two years, choices had been accomplished with out trials, primarily based on 5 to seven parameters determined by coaches. It was like a instructor giving marks in school. Coaches acquired influenced by whether or not somebody greeted them or had a very good rapport. However within the ring, solely punches matter,” mentioned Mr. Singh.

This time, he mentioned, BFI officers performed impartial trials in public view with impartial judges. “Earlier, outcomes had been withheld, or there have been simply casual bouts with no declared end result. Now the very best goes by means of. Sakshi wouldn’t have made it below the previous system,” he added. He mentioned the clear course of would additionally assist India within the upcoming Asian Video games and 2028 Olympics.

‘Habit to medals’

The boxers’ efficiency drew reward from throughout the political spectrum in Haryana. Chief Minister Nayab Saini mentioned, “Of 13 gold medallists general, seven are from Haryana and two every from the State have gained silver and bronze. This energy comes when youth avoid medicine and their solely dependancy is to win medals.” The Congress MP from Rohtak, Deepender Hooda, posted on X: “Jai Bhiwani, Jai Maata Bhaarat.”

The Boxing Federation of India additionally celebrated the feat, calling it an “unprecedented single-edition haul in world sport.” In its publish, it mentioned: “Out of 14 boxers, 10 deliver house medals, that includes an unprecedented seven Gold medal haul on the Commonwealth Video games! Big congratulations to India’s Magnificent Seven for making the nation proud!”