Arundhati Choudhary's CWG Gold Inspires Future Athletes in Rajasthan

Inspiring Young Athletes in Rajasthan

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], August 8: Arundhati Choudhary, who clinched a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026, is optimistic that her achievement will motivate aspiring athletes in Rajasthan to engage in sports and break the stereotypes surrounding the state's athletic capabilities.

Hailing from Kota, Arundhati showcased an impressive performance in the women's 70kg boxing final, where she triumphed over England's Chantelle Reid with a unanimous 5-0 decision, contributing to India's tally of seven gold medals in boxing at the event.

In an interview, Arundhati expressed her belief that her victory could help reshape perceptions about Rajasthan's sports talent and encourage local youth to pursue their athletic dreams.

“When people think of Rajasthan, they often assume that the athletes are not competitive or skilled. However, I believe my gold medal will serve as a significant source of inspiration for the children of Rajasthan, showing them that success is possible and that we can compete at high levels,” she stated.

Arundhati shared her pride in winning gold at her first Commonwealth Games, attributing her success to her father's guidance and the support of her coach, Ashok Gautam, who has been instrumental since she began boxing in 2016.

“I feel immense pride in achieving gold in my debut Commonwealth Games. I have always had a fighting spirit, which was sometimes seen as a negative trait. My father recognized my potential and directed me towards boxing instead of the IIT path he initially envisioned for me. Since 2016, under coach Ashok Gautam's mentorship, I have dedicated myself to this sport,” she remarked.

India made history by achieving its best-ever boxing performance at the Commonwealth Games, finishing at the top of the medal table with seven gold and three silver medals. This impressive haul surpassed the previous record of six gold medals held by England and Canada.

In addition to Arundhati, gold medals were secured by Sachin Siwach, Jaismine Lamboria, Preeti Pawar, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas, and Ankush Panghal. Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain, along with Narender Berwal and Jadumani Singh, contributed silver medals to India's remarkable achievement.