Record seven gold medals establish India as boxing giants of the Commonwealth Games

Glasgow: India's boxing contingent picked up a record seven gold medals – half of the total on offer -- to return with the best-ever show by any country in Commonwealth Games history. The performance established India as the boxing giants of the Commonwealth.

Besides the seven gold medals, India also grabbed three silver in boxing at the Scottish Exhibition Centre (SEC) here. The previous best in terms of boxing gold medals won by a single nation at a single Games was six.

After two gold, through Jaismine Lomboria (57kg) and Preeti Pawar (54kg), and a silver by Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (55kg) earlier in the morning session, Indians won five more gold and two silver on Saturday evening.

Then an additional five gold and one silver came in the final session of boxing competition and they came from three women and two men.

The women champions were Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg) and Arundhati Chaudhary (70kg). In the men’s section, the final day winners were Sachin Siwach (60kg) and Ankush Panghal (80kg).

Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), who was the first Indian to be assured of a medal after a bye into the semi-finals, lost a split decision and Narender Berwal lost a unanimous decision in the 90kg.

Sakshi Chaudhary proved way superior to her English opponent Ruby White and confirmed the gold medal in the women's 51kg division through a unanimous 5-0 decision.

Priya Ghanghas, paired against Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh of Canada in her gold medal 60kg bout, had to fight hard to secure a 4-1 ruling. Priya fought a closely contested opening round where she was able to take the early lead before her opponent came back strong in the second round. A strong third round helped Priya beat back her opponent and earn a 4-1 ruling.

Arundhati Chaudhary kept the momentum as she defeated Chantelle Reid of England in the women's 70kg division with a 5-0 decision. She controlled the pace of the fight from the onset and completely overwhelmed her opponent in the second and third round to cruise through to victory.

Sachin Siwach won a close contest against Tryagain Morning Ndevelo of Namibia in the men's 60kg division. A close first round saw the Namibian boxer take an early lead before a dominant second and strong third round saw the Indian secure a well-earned victory and a gold medal.

Ankush Panghal took the 80kg men’s gold medal against Dimeji Shittu of England. After being overwhelmed by the Englishman in the opening round, Ankush rallied back to edge out his rival in the second round and then put together a strong final round to secure a 4-1 ruling.

Lovlina Borgohain lost her gold medal match to Emma-Sue Grenntree of Australia. It was a split decision, going 4-1 in the Australian’s favour. The Australian had a strong opening round and was able to do just enough in the second and third rounds to secure the gold.

Narender Berwal was outboxed by Damar Thomas of England in the men's 90+ kg division, forcing the Indian to settle for a silver.

Early India success came through World No. 3 Preeti Pawar (54kg), who controlled her fight totally and delivered a one-sided win to hand India its first boxing gold of the day.

The 22-year-old Preeti dominated Canada's Scarlett Delgado from the outset, taking the opening round before landing a series of excellent combinations that led to a standing count in the second. Delgado was never able to recover and Preeti wrapped up a comprehensive 5-0 unanimous decision.

In the Women's 57 kg, reigning world champion Jaismine defeated defending Commonwealth Games champion Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland in a high quality contest. The close contest saw two of the world's best in action and the first round went to Jaismine on a 3-2 split. But the Indian moved ahead with a dominating second round. Being able to keep Walsh at bay in the third round secured Jaismine the title, four years after she took bronze in Birmingham.

"In the ring we have to fight for our country, but outside the ring we are friends," said the Indian. "I feel very good. I won this medal for my country and this is my first Commonwealth Games gold medal."

For Walsh, the silver meant she became the first boxer with four Commonwealth medals.

Jaismine had barely three weeks of training after her recovery and even competing in Glasgow seemed tough and then beating the reigning Commonwealth champion to win gold was remarkable. She showed no signs of having been pushed back by illness some weeks ago.

Jadumani, who was hoping for gold, had to settle for silver. The gutsy Jadumani started brightly against Australia's Jye Dixon in the men's 55kg final, taking the opening round 3-2 despite giving away height and reach. The Australian adjusted superbly thereafter and used his reach to control the remaining rounds and secure a unanimous decision, leaving Jadumani with a silver.

Indian boxing medallists:

GOLD (7):

Women: Sakshi Chaudhary (51 kg), Preeti Powar (54 kg); Jaisimine Lomboria (57 kg); Priya Ghanghas (60 kg), Arundhati Chaudhary (70 kg)

Men: Sachin Siwach (60 kg), Ankush Panghal (80 kg).

SILVER (3):

Women: Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg),

Men: Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (55 kg); Narender Berwal (90 kg);

Tags : Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas, Jaismine Lomboria, Preeti Pawar, Arundhati Chaudhary, Sachin Siwach, Ankush Panghal