BHIWANI, HARYANA — A homemade bowl of traditional kheer-churma awaits Sakshi Chaudhary as she prepares to return to her native Dhanana village in Haryana's Bhiwani district following a glorious victory at the Commonwealth Games.
The 25-year-old Indian Army boxer delivered a masterclass performance in the women's 51kg boxing final, outclassing England's Ruby White 5-0 via unanimous decision to secure her maiden Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Back home in Bhiwani, widely regarded as India's boxing nursery, her family and neighbours gathered around television sets to watch the crucial bout live. The quiet village erupted in cheers and rhythmic chants of "India, India!" the moment the referee raised Sakshi's hand in victory.
A Mother's Traditional Welcome
For Sakshi's mother, Sheila Devi, preparing kheer-churma—a beloved North Indian delicacy reserved for auspicious occasions and religious festivities—is the ultimate gesture of maternal pride.
"Winning a gold medal is every athlete's dream. Sakshi has done that, making all of us joyous," Sheila Devi shared while preparing for her daughter's grand homecoming. "I will welcome her with kheer and churma when she comes home."
Dozens of villagers, relatives, and local well-wishers streamed into the family home shortly after the bout, sharing sweets and celebrating the iconic triumph.
Sakshi's father, Manoj Chaudhary, a local farmer who first noticed her competitive spirit and enrolled her in boxing back in 2012, expressed immense pride in her accomplishment.
"We are delighted, as my daughter has made the country proud through her performance on the world stage," Manoj said. "I am confident she will also win gold at the Asian Games and the Olympics. She has worked extremely hard and has always followed a simple, nutritious diet."
From Childhood Setbacks to Golden Redemption
Sakshi's path to the top of the podium has been marked by resilience and unwavering determination. Trained under legendary coach Jagdish Singh at the renowned Bhiwani Boxing Club—the same academy that nurtured Olympic medallist Vijender Singh—Sakshi rose quickly through the junior ranks, winning gold at the 2015 World Junior Championships and 2017 Youth World Championships.
However, severe shoulder injuries sidelined her during crucial qualifying periods, forcing her to miss both the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Rather than letting the setback derail her career, she enlisted in the Indian Army under the Mission Olympic Programme, serving as a Havildar in the Corps of Military Police.
Sakshi earned her spot in the national squad after defeating world champions Nikhat Zareen and Meenakshi Hooda in high-stakes selection trials.
She stands as one of six gold-medallist boxers hailing from Haryana at these Games, cementing the state's status as the powerhouse of Indian combat sports. With a Commonwealth title now under her belt, Sakshi's sights are firmly set on bringing home top honours at the upcoming Asian Games and Olympic Games.
