Indian boxer Sakshi Chaudhary has credited former India captain Virat Kohli for supporting her journey to a historic gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Speaking to IANS, the 25-year-old said Kohli supported her through the Virat Kohli Foundation and had been her sponsor, while also encouraging her to stay calm and focus on her performance rather than pressure.
Chaudhary defeated England’s Ruby White by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the women’s 51kg final, completing a remarkable comeback after injuries had kept her out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Asian Games. Her victory came after she moved down from the 54kg category to 51kg and secured her place in the Indian team by defeating leading domestic contenders.
Kohli’s Support Beyond Sponsorship
Reflecting on her journey after winning gold, Chaudhary acknowledged Kohli’s contribution to her career. “He has been my sponsor. So I would like to thank him too,” she expressed , adding that his support went beyond financial backing. According to the report, Kohli advised her not to take pressure and to concentrate on performing inside the ring.
Chaudhary had been supported through the Virat Kohli Foundation during a crucial phase of her career. The foundation had previously listed her among its supported athletes, with Chaudhary inducted in 2019.
From Setbacks To Glasgow Gold
Chaudhary’s Commonwealth Games triumph followed several difficult years. Injuries ruled her out of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Asian Games, while she had also narrowly missed qualification for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Determined to return to the biggest stage, she dropped from 54kg to 51kg, a significant change that eventually paid off.
She earned her Glasgow berth after defeating world champion Nikhat Zareen and Asian champion Minakshi Hooda in the selection trials, before entering the Games as a strong medal contender. In Glasgow, she defeated Ruby White 5-0 in the final to secure her maiden Commonwealth Games gold. India’s boxers collectively produced a record seven gold medals at the Games.
How The Foundation Supports Athletes
The Virat Kohli Foundation (VKF) works to support athletes across sporting disciplines, with a focus on helping promising sportspersons access the resources and opportunities needed to compete at the highest level. Established by Virat Kohli, the foundation has backed athletes from sports including boxing, athletics, tennis, swimming and para-sports, recognising that many competitors outside cricket face financial and infrastructural challenges during their careers.
Its support can help athletes meet expenses related to training, equipment, travel, coaching and competition, allowing them to concentrate more fully on their sporting goals. The foundation has also sought to provide longer-term support rather than focusing only on athletes after they achieve major success. Sakshi Chaudhary’s association with the VKF is one example of this approach.
She was inducted into the foundation’s athlete support programme in 2019, at a stage when she was still working towards establishing herself at the international level. For athletes trying to break through in disciplines that receive less commercial attention than cricket, sustained financial and institutional backing can be particularly important. Chaudhary’s eventual Commonwealth Games gold also highlights the potential impact of such support when combined with an athlete’s own determination, coaching and years of preparation. The foundation’s broader work reflects the importance of creating pathways for talented athletes before they reach the biggest stages.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Sakshi Chaudhary’s story shows that sporting success is rarely the result of one moment or one person. Her persistence through injuries, difficult selection battles and a change in weight category ultimately brought her to the Commonwealth Games podium, while support from institutions, coaches, families and individuals such as Virat Kohli helped sustain her journey.
It also highlights why athletes outside cricket need consistent opportunities, funding and encouragement to develop their potential. When established sporting figures use their influence to support athletes from other disciplines, could such collaborations help build a stronger and more inclusive sporting culture in India?
