Family affair at CWG: Cousins Sakshi Choudhary and Priya Ghanghas win boxing golds
Cousins Sakshi Choudhary and Priya Ghanghas won Commonwealth Games boxing golds in Glasgow, adding to India's tally. Their victories, following titles for Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria, highlighted Haryana's enduring influence on Indian boxing again.
Boxing is often called a solitary sport, but at the SEC Hall in Glasgow, India's surge inside the ring felt distinctly like a family triumph. Following early gold-medal performances by Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria, cousins Sakshi Choudhary and Priya Ghanghas added two more titles to India's haul, turning the Commonwealth Games boxing finals into a celebrated showcase for Haryana's rich combat-sports lineage.
Competing in the women's 51kg flyweight category, 25-year-old Sakshi Choudhary delivered a masterclass in aggressive, front-foot boxing to dismantle England's Ruby White in a unanimous 5-0 verdict. Representing the Indian Army and training out of the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune, Sakshi took control from the opening bell, controlling the range and distance to keep White on the defensive throughout three rounds.
Sakshi's path to the Commonwealth podium was hard-earned long before reaching Scotland. During the competitive national selection trials, the 2025 Boxing World Cup gold medallist had to defeat reigning World Champion Minakshi Hooda and two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen just to earn her spot on the squad.
Her performance in the final reflected that battle-tested sharp edge. Yet, alongside her tactical dominance, Sakshi displayed class after the bout was over. Seeing a distraught White in tears following the announcement, Sakshi approached her opponent to offer solace before stepping onto the podium to receive her medal from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha as the national anthem echoed through the arena.
PRIYA GRINGS OUT VICTORY
In the women's 60kg lightweight category, Priya Ghanghas took to the ring shortly after her cousin to complete the family sweep. The World No. 4, coming off a strong 2026 campaign that included gold medals at the Elite Asian Championships, the Boxam Cup, and the Usti Nad Labem Grand Prix, faced a stern challenge against Canada's Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh.
In a high-intensity, tactical contest that tested both fighters' endurance, Priya relied on her sharp ring craft and lateral movement to claim a 4-1 split decision. Though the tension of the close verdict was evident immediately after the final bell, the victory confirmed her standing as one of the leading lightweight prospects in world boxing.
The dual victories further cement the reputation of Haryana – and specifically the region surrounding Bhiwani – as the heartland of Indian boxing. Boxing excellence runs deep in the family tree; Priya's cousin, Nitu Ghanghas, previously captured gold in the 48kg category at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games before going on to claim a World Championship title in 2023.
Boxing is often called a solitary sport, but at the SEC Hall in Glasgow, India's surge inside the ring felt distinctly like a family triumph. Following early gold-medal performances by Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria, cousins Sakshi Choudhary and Priya Ghanghas added two more titles to India's haul, turning the Commonwealth Games boxing finals into a celebrated showcase for Haryana's rich combat-sports lineage.
Competing in the women's 51kg flyweight category, 25-year-old Sakshi Choudhary delivered a masterclass in aggressive, front-foot boxing to dismantle England's Ruby White in a unanimous 5-0 verdict. Representing the Indian Army and training out of the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune, Sakshi took control from the opening bell, controlling the range and distance to keep White on the defensive throughout three rounds.
Sakshi's path to the Commonwealth podium was hard-earned long before reaching Scotland. During the competitive national selection trials, the 2025 Boxing World Cup gold medallist had to defeat reigning World Champion Minakshi Hooda and two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen just to earn her spot on the squad.
Her performance in the final reflected that battle-tested sharp edge. Yet, alongside her tactical dominance, Sakshi displayed class after the bout was over. Seeing a distraught White in tears following the announcement, Sakshi approached her opponent to offer solace before stepping onto the podium to receive her medal from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha as the national anthem echoed through the arena.
PRIYA GRINGS OUT VICTORY
In the women's 60kg lightweight category, Priya Ghanghas took to the ring shortly after her cousin to complete the family sweep. The World No. 4, coming off a strong 2026 campaign that included gold medals at the Elite Asian Championships, the Boxam Cup, and the Usti Nad Labem Grand Prix, faced a stern challenge against Canada's Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh.
In a high-intensity, tactical contest that tested both fighters' endurance, Priya relied on her sharp ring craft and lateral movement to claim a 4-1 split decision. Though the tension of the close verdict was evident immediately after the final bell, the victory confirmed her standing as one of the leading lightweight prospects in world boxing.
The dual victories further cement the reputation of Haryana – and specifically the region surrounding Bhiwani – as the heartland of Indian boxing. Boxing excellence runs deep in the family tree; Priya's cousin, Nitu Ghanghas, previously captured gold in the 48kg category at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games before going on to claim a World Championship title in 2023.
Boxing is often called a solitary sport, but at the SEC Hall in Glasgow, India's surge inside the ring felt distinctly like a family triumph. Following early gold-medal performances by Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria, cousins Sakshi Choudhary and Priya Ghanghas added two more titles to India's haul, turning the Commonwealth Games boxing finals into a celebrated showcase for Haryana's rich combat-sports lineage.
Competing in the women's 51kg flyweight category, 25-year-old Sakshi Choudhary delivered a masterclass in aggressive, front-foot boxing to dismantle England's Ruby White in a unanimous 5-0 verdict. Representing the Indian Army and training out of the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune, Sakshi took control from the opening bell, controlling the range and distance to keep White on the defensive throughout three rounds.
Sakshi's path to the Commonwealth podium was hard-earned long before reaching Scotland. During the competitive national selection trials, the 2025 Boxing World Cup gold medallist had to defeat reigning World Champion Minakshi Hooda and two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen just to earn her spot on the squad.
Her performance in the final reflected that battle-tested sharp edge. Yet, alongside her tactical dominance, Sakshi displayed class after the bout was over. Seeing a distraught White in tears following the announcement, Sakshi approached her opponent to offer solace before stepping onto the podium to receive her medal from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha as the national anthem echoed through the arena.
PRIYA GRINGS OUT VICTORY
In the women's 60kg lightweight category, Priya Ghanghas took to the ring shortly after her cousin to complete the family sweep. The World No. 4, coming off a strong 2026 campaign that included gold medals at the Elite Asian Championships, the Boxam Cup, and the Usti Nad Labem Grand Prix, faced a stern challenge against Canada's Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh.
In a high-intensity, tactical contest that tested both fighters' endurance, Priya relied on her sharp ring craft and lateral movement to claim a 4-1 split decision. Though the tension of the close verdict was evident immediately after the final bell, the victory confirmed her standing as one of the leading lightweight prospects in world boxing.
The dual victories further cement the reputation of Haryana – and specifically the region surrounding Bhiwani – as the heartland of Indian boxing. Boxing excellence runs deep in the family tree; Priya's cousin, Nitu Ghanghas, previously captured gold in the 48kg category at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games before going on to claim a World Championship title in 2023.
