In a remarkable achievement for Indian sports, boxer
Support from a Cricket Icon
Chaudhary expressed her gratitude towards Kohli, revealing that his foundation provided crucial backing during a challenging period in her athletic career. In an interview with IANS, she acknowledged that Kohli's assistance went beyond mere financial sponsorship. "I started boxing after watching Vijender Singh, but in my journey, Virat Kohli has also supported me a lot. He has been my sponsor. So I would like to thank him too," she stated. The boxer emphasized that Kohli's motivational advice helped her maintain focus, urging her to remain calm and avoid pressure while competing.
A Triumphant Comeback
Sakshi's gold medal victory is particularly noteworthy given her recent struggles with injuries that sidelined her from the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Asian Games. Demonstrating resilience, she made the strategic decision to move down from the 54kg category to 51kg, a choice that ultimately paid off. In the final match, she triumphed over England's Ruby White with a unanimous 5-0 decision, solidifying her place at the top of the podium.
Her success contributed to India's historic performance in boxing at the Commonwealth Games, where the nation secured a total of ten medals, including a record seven golds. Alongside Chaudhary, other notable Indian boxers such as world champion Jaismine Lamboria, Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, and Arundhati Choudhary also claimed gold medals in their respective categories. This impressive haul underscores India's dominance in the sport, as no other nation has achieved as many boxing golds in a single edition of the Commonwealth Games.
