Sakshi Chaudhary, one of India’s leading women boxers, is gearing up to represent the nation at the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, carrying with her the hopes of millions and an unwavering determination to bring home gold.
Some champions are born into privilege. Others are forged in grit, sacrifice and an unshakeable belief that dreams are worth fighting for. Sakshi Chaudhary, one of India’s leading women boxers, who is preparing to represent India at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games belongs to the latter.
Long before she wore the Indian jersey with pride, before she stood atop podiums as a Junior World Champion, before she earned her place among India’s finest boxers, Sakshi was a spirited young girl from a humble farming family in Haryana’s boxing heartland of Bhiwani.
Her father, a farmer, and her mother, a homemaker, had little to offer except unwavering faith in their daughter. Every day, father and daughter travelled nearly 18 kilometres for training, often putting livelihood, comfort and routine aside so that one little girl could chase an extraordinary dream. Those journeys weren’t merely about reaching a boxing academy… they were about building Sakshi’s resilience.
Life tested Sakshi repeatedly. There were injuries that threatened to end her career, heartbreaking defeats, Olympic qualification that slipped away by the narrowest of margins, and moments when the easier choice would have been to walk away. But champions rarely choose the easy path. They choose to fight.
Again and again. Sakshi did exactly that. When circumstances demanded the impossible, she safely dropped weight in just three weeks to compete in a different category and went on to defeat two of India’s biggest names in women’s boxing… former World Champions Minakshi Hooda and Nikhat Zareen, earning her place in both the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2026 Asian Games. It was more than a sporting triumph; it was a statement of extraordinary courage, discipline and belief.
Today, Sakshi serves not only as one of India’s brightest boxing stars but also as a proud member of the Indian Army…two roles bound by the same values of discipline, resilience, courage and service to the nation. Yet, despite her growing list of achievements, what strikes you most is not the medals she has won, but the humility with which she wears them. She speaks not of pressure, but of pride. Not of fame, but of responsibility. For Sakshi, every bout is another opportunity to honour the tricolour and repay the faith of millions who cheer for her.
In this candid conversation with Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz, Sakshi Chaudhary, India’s boxing hope opens up about the unseen sacrifices behind every medal, the strength she draws from her family, the setbacks that shaped her into a champion, and the dream that continues to fuel every punch she throws… to win gold for India and inspire every young girl, no matter where she comes from, to believe that no dream is ever too distant when matched with determination, discipline and heart.
Over To India’s Champion Boxer – Sakshi Chaudhary
As you prepare to represent India at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, what does it mean to carry the hopes of over 140 crore Indians every time you step into the ring? Does that responsibility motivate you, or does it add pressure?
Representing India is the greatest honour of my life. Every time I wear the Indian jersey and step into the ring, I don’t think of pressure—I think of pride. Knowing that millions of Indians are supporting me gives me immense motivation to give my absolute best.
I have been fortunate to represent India from the junior level onwards, and every tournament has strengthened my sense of responsibility. It reminds me why I train so hard every single day. As I prepare for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, my focus is on performing to the best of my ability. I am confident in my preparation, and my dream is to bring home the gold medal and make every Indian proud.
The nation celebrates athletes when they return with medals, but very few people see the years of sacrifice, discipline and setbacks that happen long before that moment. What is one part of your journey you wish every Indian understood?
Every medal people see is the result of years of unseen hard work. Behind every victory are countless early mornings, demanding training sessions, injuries, disappointments, missed family occasions, and moments when you have to keep believing in yourself despite setbacks.
I wish people understood that success in sports never happens overnight. It is built through discipline, patience, and consistency. Every challenge I have faced has made me mentally stronger and helped me grow as both an athlete and a person. If there is one lesson my journey has taught me, it is that persistence and honest hard work always pay off.
Every boxer faces moments of self-doubt. During those difficult days, what keeps you going, and where do you find the mental strength to get back into the ring?
Every athlete goes through difficult phases, and I am no exception. There have been moments when things didn’t go according to plan, but I have always believed that one defeat or one setback can never define an athlete.
My biggest source of strength is my belief in my preparation, my coaches, my family, and my dream of winning for India. Whenever I face challenges, I remind myself of everything I have already overcome—from becoming a Junior and Youth World Champion to winning gold at the Boxing World Cup. Those experiences give me the confidence to keep moving forward. Every new bout is a fresh opportunity to prove myself, and I always step into the ring with that mindset.
Women’s boxing in India has come a long way, thanks to pioneers who inspired an entire generation. As one of the country’s leading women boxers, what legacy do you hope to leave for the young girls who dream of wearing the India jersey one day?
I come from a small village in the Bhiwani district of Haryana. My father is a farmer, and my mother is a homemaker. We didn’t have extraordinary resources, but I was fortunate to have parents who believed in my dreams and encouraged me to work hard. My journey has taught me that where you come from should never limit where you can reach.
If my story can inspire even one young girl from a village or a small town to believe that she too can represent India, I will consider that one of my biggest achievements. I want girls to know that dreams don’t depend on your background—they depend on your determination, discipline, and willingness to work hard every single day.
From becoming a Junior and Youth World Champion to now earning the opportunity to represent India again at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, every step of my journey has reinforced my belief that perseverance can overcome any obstacle. My dream is not only to win medals for India but also to leave behind a legacy that inspires the next generation of girls to dream fearlessly and proudly wear the Indian jersey.
Behind every athlete is a team that believes in them before the world does. Who has been your biggest source of strength, and what role has that support played in helping you reach this stage?
No athlete succeeds alone. I have been blessed to have the constant support of my family, my coaches, my support staff, and everyone who has believed in me throughout my journey.
My family has always stood by me through every success and every setback, giving me the confidence to keep moving forward. My coaches have shaped me not only as a boxer but also as a disciplined athlete and a stronger individual. Their guidance, trust, and encouragement have played a huge role in helping me reach this stage. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey.
When you walk into the ring wearing the Indian colours, what is the one thought that runs through your mind just before the opening bell?
Just before the opening bell, I remind myself why I am there—to give my best for my country. At that moment, all the years of hard work, sacrifices, and preparation come together.
I tell myself to stay calm, trust my training, and fight with complete confidence. Wearing the Indian jersey is a feeling that cannot be described in words. It fills me with pride and gives me the determination to give everything inside the ring. My only focus is to perform at my highest level and make India proud.
If you could speak directly to every Indian cheering for you from home, what would you want them to understand about the life of an athlete… and how can the country support its sportspersons not just after victories, but throughout their journey?
First of all, I would like to thank every Indian who supports and believes in athletes. Your love, prayers, and encouragement mean more to us than words can express.
I want people to understand that an athlete’s journey is much longer than the few minutes they see during a competition. Behind every performance are years of hard work, discipline, sacrifices, and determination. Celebrating victories is wonderful, but standing by athletes during difficult times is equally important because that is when they need encouragement the most.
When athletes know that the country believes in them through both victories and setbacks, it gives them the confidence to keep striving for excellence. I promise that every time I step into the ring, I will give my hundred percent for India. My goal is to keep bringing laurels to the country and make every Indian proud.
