A calculated risk which came off for Sakshi
Boxer Sakshi Chaudhary successfully transitioned from the 54kg to the 51kg weight category to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal. Her coach credits her aggressive style and endurance for the victory, while former coaches suggest further technical refinements.
Why it matters
Highlights the strategic importance of weight management and tactical coaching in elite-level combat sports.
A calculated risk to drop from 54kg to 51kg paid off for newly-crowned Commonwealth Games champion boxer Sakshi Chaudhary, as she finally made an impact at a multi-sport event.
A former World junior champion, two-time World youth champion, Asian championships bronze medallist and World Boxing Cup gold medallist, Sakshi secured most of her international medals in 54kg.
Hungry for success at a multi-sport event, the gutsy Sakshi sought the advice of her coach Chhote Lal Yadav at the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune, and decided to switch to 51kg after the National championships in January, when boxers were allowed to change weight categories.
For Sakshi, it was a risky decision as the lower weight class had several accomplished boxers, including double World champion Nikhat Zareen and reigning world champion Meenakshi Hooda.
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