Sakshi Chaudhary has credited Virat Kohli for supporting her boxing journey after winning the women’s 51kg flyweight gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Chaudhary defeated England’s Ruby White by a unanimous 5-0 decision to secure the title as India’s boxing contingent returned home with 10 medals.
The gold-medal winner said Kohli had provided important backing during a crucial phase of her career. She also named former boxer Vijender Singh as the inspiration who encouraged her to take up the sport.
Kohli support acknowledged after Glasgow gold
Speaking to the media after returning home, Chaudhary thanked Kohli for his contribution to her progress in boxing and for backing athletes outside cricket.
“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,” Chaudhary said.
Her Commonwealth Games success came in the women’s 51kg flyweight category, where she produced a composed performance against White. The 5-0 unanimous decision delivered the gold medal and formed part of India’s 10-medal boxing haul from the recently concluded Games.
Chaudhary said she was proud to have achieved her objective of winning gold for the nation. She also acknowledged the people from her village who had supported her throughout her journey.
“I am feeling very proud after winning the Gold medal…My target was to win the Gold medal for the nation…I thank all the people of my village who supported me throughout the journey,” she said.
The result gives Chaudhary a major Commonwealth Games title in the flyweight division and places her achievement among India’s notable boxing outcomes from Glasgow. Her victory over an English opponent was decided unanimously by the judges, underlining the clear margin recorded in the final decision.
Family celebrates Chaudhary’s achievement
Chaudhary’s father, Manoj Kumar, said her hard work and dedication had made the nation proud. He expressed confidence that she could continue to achieve success at future major events, including the Asian Games and the Olympics.
“Sakshi has made the entire nation proud…Sakshi worked very hard…I am confident that she will win the gold medal in the Asian Games and Olympics also,” Manoj Kumar said.
Her mother, Sheela, said the family was delighted by the gold medal and thanked the coaches who had supported Chaudhary during her development in the sport. “We are all very happy…Her coaches supported her throughout the journey,” she said.
For Chaudhary, the Glasgow gold was the culmination of support from her family, coaches, village and sponsors, alongside the inspiration she drew from Vijender Singh. Her acknowledgement of Kohli adds another chapter to the story behind India’s women’s 51kg champion at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
