Indian boxer Preeti Pawar claimed the women’s 54kg gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 by defeating Canada’s Scarlett Delgado by unanimous decision on Saturday, marking India’s first boxing gold of the tournament.
Pawar began the match composedly, despite Delgado landing several early punches. The Indian boxer remained patient, gradually finding her rhythm, responding with precise strikes and effectively using her left hook. The judges awarded Pawar the opening round with a unanimous 5-0 score.
In the second round, Pawar increased her confidence and landed cleaner, more exact punches. Midway through the round, she took control with a series of sharp combinations that prompted a standing count against Delgado. The judges again scored the round 5-0 in Pawar’s favour, bringing her just one round from the gold medal.
Maintaining her dominance in the final round, Pawar dictated the pace and kept Delgado on the defensive. She continued landing clean punches, including a sharp left hook and a solid right hand, as the Canadian struggled to respond. At the final bell, Pawar was declared the winner by unanimous decision, securing India’s first boxing gold medal of the day at Glasgow.
Elsewhere in athletics, Gulveer Singh will compete in the men’s 5000m final, aiming to add to the silver medal he won in the 10,000m event. Triple jumpers Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu Thirumaran will compete, seeking to replicate the 1-2 finish by Eldhose Paul and Abdulla Aboobacker at the 2022 Birmingham Games.
National record holder Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar will contest the men’s pole vault final, with India’s mixed 4x400m relay team also aiming for a podium finish. Olympian Priyanka Goswami will participate in the race walk event, attempting to improve on her silver medal performance from Birmingham 2022.
In judo, India aims to build on a strong start after its historic first day. Unnati Sharma (women’s 63kg), Karanjit Singh Maan (men’s 90kg), Harsh Tokas (men’s 81kg) and Inunganbi Takhellambam (women’s 70kg) will compete following gold medals by Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh on Friday.
In bowls, Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar face England in a decisive men’s pairs match, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals. India also has medal prospects in para athletics and track cycling during Saturday’s events.