Who is Preeti Pawar? The “Golden Boxing Girl”
Hailing from Bhiwani, Haryana—a town famously known as the nursery of Indian boxing—22-year-old Preeti Pawar (b. October 23, 2003) has rapidly established herself as one of India’s most formidable pugilists in the women’s bantamweight (54 kg) category.
A Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, Preeti’s rise through the boxing ranks combines tactical brilliance in the ring with a surprisingly creative background off the canvas.
Key Highlights & Major Achievements
- Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Gold: Clinched the gold medal in the women’s 54kg event with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Canada’s Scarlett Delgado.
- 2025 World Boxing Cup Champion: Took top honors in the 54kg division at the finals held in New Delhi.
- 2026 Asian Elite Boxing Champion: Secured gold in Ulaanbaatar, defeating top-tier international opponents including Olympic medalists.
- Asian Games Medallist & Olympian: Won a bronze medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, which qualified her for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where she reached the Round of 16.
The Journey: From Reluctant Start to Ring Dominance
Preeti grew up surrounded by sports—both of her parents were former athletes, and her father serves as an officer in the Haryana Police. However, she did not initially set out to be a boxer.
At age 14, her potential was spotted by her uncle, Vinod Pawar, himself a former national-level medal winner. He convinced her family and took her under his wing. Her career took off quickly from there:
- Youth Circuit: She rose through the ranks by winning titles at the State Open in Panipat, the Youth Nationals, and the Khelo India Games.
- Senior Breakthrough: After making her debut on the world stage in 2023, she shocked multi-time international medalists at the Hangzhou Asian Games to seal her Olympic spot.
- Resilience & Comeback: Despite battling a bout of Hepatitis A right before her Olympic debut in Paris, Preeti fought through to the pre-quarterfinals. Following recovery, she embarked on a gold-medal streak across the World Boxing Cup, Asian Championships, and Commonwealth Games.
The “Artist” Inside the Ring
What makes Preeti unique among elite combat athletes is her passion for fine arts. Off the canvas, she is an avid painter who practices Mandala art, quilling, and calligraphy to unwind and build mental focus during high-pressure tournaments.
“An artist by passion, Preeti Pawar paints her finest masterpieces inside the ring—using precision combinations, sharp counter-punching, and steady composure.”
With her sights firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Preeti Pawar continues to prove why she is regarded as the golden future of Indian boxing.
