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Rising India boxing star Preeti Pawar reflects on her rise, from Asian Games breakthrough to Olympic debut, while battling hepatitis and rebuilding her career.
Preeti Pawar is pursuing BSc in Health and Physical Education. (Picture Credit: IG/preetisaipawar)
At just 22, Preeti Pawar, a rising Indian boxer, has already built an impressive résumé on the international stage. Her breakthrough came at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where she stunned 2014 Asian Games medallist Zhaina Shekerbekova in the quarterfinals to guarantee herself a medal.
She went on to secure bronze at the Asian Games, marking the beginning of her steady rise in elite boxing. That momentum carried her to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the biggest stage in sport. Although she exited in the Round of 16, the experience became another important step in her development, and she followed it up with gold at the Asian U22 Championships.
In 2025, Preeti continued to build on her form with a gold medal at the World Cup in New Delhi and soon added another major title, winning gold at the senior Asian Championships last month.
Reflecting on her campaign at the Asian Championships, Preeti singles out her semifinal against Paris Olympics bronze medallist Im Ae-ji as the defining moment.
“That competition, the semi-final bout, stands out as my highlight. I expected a harder challenge, but once the bout started, I managed to win it 5-0. It was an important learning experience for me, since I was under some pressure going into it,” Preeti says while speaking to News18 Sports.
She adds what the victory taught her about handling pressure at the highest level.
“Performing well in that situation taught me that, regardless of the opponent, staying calm, avoiding unnecessary pressure and giving your best can improve performance,” Preeti adds.
Her rise has not been without setbacks. Just before the Paris Olympics, Preeti was diagnosed with hepatitis, a condition that nearly ruled her out of the competition.
“When I was diagnosed with hepatitis, I still had one clear goal in mind, competing at the Olympics. Doctors warned me that participating would be very risky, but my team stood by me and offered constant support,” Preeti narrates.
As she recovered, she gradually returned to full fitness and eventually made it to the Games.
“As my recovery progressed, I began to improve, and I was cleared to compete. At the Olympics, I won my first bout but lost the second. Still, the experience was invaluable. At that level, it isn’t about where you come from, but how you perform and what you learn and I gained a great deal from it,” Preeti adds.
However, she notes that the real challenge began after the Olympics, when her body was severely weakened and she was unable to train for five to six months, impacting both endurance and strength.
“To rebuild, I joined the Inspiring Institute of Sport, where I underwent testing to understand how much effort I could put into training. I began with very small sessions and increased the intensity,” Preeti says.
She recalls that the recovery phase tested her mentally as much as physically.
“There were moments when I felt like giving up, but my coaches supported me throughout. The institute played a huge role in my comeback. At that point, I was not sure where to start again, whether to focus on physical fitness or mental health, but they guided me on both fronts,” Preeti adds.
She also credits structured psychology sessions for helping her regain confidence, saying that rebuilding her career required clarity, patience, and guided support.
With the Commonwealth Games just over two months away, followed closely by the Asian Games, Preeti is now focused on maintaining her momentum in a packed season.
“Our national camp has started in Patiala, where we are following a structured training program under the guidance of our coaches. The sessions have been going well, with everyone training together as a unit,” Preeti says.
She also outlines the importance of upcoming exposure trips in sharpening her preparation.
“We also have plans for exposure tours and additional training camps, which will help us better understand both ourselves and our opponents, improving our performance at the Asian Games,” Preeti adds.
Even with her demanding schedule at the elite level, Preeti has continued her education and is currently pursuing a BSc in Health and Physical Education. She explains how she balances both commitments.
“Balancing everything at once is challenging, but I have learned to manage it over time. It was tough in the beginning, but now I make the most of my free time by focusing on studies and hobbies, while dedicating myself to boxing during competition periods,” Preeti says.
Talking about the role of the Inspiring Institute of Sport, Preeti highlights the importance of sports science in her recovery and return to form.
“IIS is among the best sports science institutes in India, offering everything an athlete needs in one place. From DEXA scans that help track body composition and readiness, to a strong physiotherapy setup focused on injury prevention, the support system has been invaluable,” Preeti says.
She further explains how the facilities helped her maintain consistency without setbacks.
“I followed all the prescribed exercises and remained injury-free. Recovery methods like hydrotherapy and sauna baths also played a crucial role. For any athlete, recovery is just as important as training and IIS provides world-class infrastructure and facilities to support both,” Preeti adds.
She might be in her early twenties, but Preeti already carries more international experience than many of her contemporaries, something she believes will be crucial going forward.
“When I competed in my first Olympics, I did not have much experience compared to other athletes. Now, with more exposure and experience, I believe it will help me perform better at the 2028 Summer Olympics,” she concluded.
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