A Hero's Welcome
Narendra Berwal returned to his native village of Saurkhi in Haryana's Hansi district to a grand welcome. The Commonwealth Games silver medalist was showered with flower petals and garlands, and a victory procession marked his homecoming, with villagers lining up to honor their local champion. After securing India's first boxing silver in the super heavyweight (over 90kg) category in years, the 2026 CWG standout was the center of celebration in his home district, which has become a proud moment for the entire region.
Narendra described the moment of winning India's first boxing silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the proudest in his life. Yet his focus quickly shifted to the future. The boxer, who earned his place in history, is already turning his eyes to the next big goal—gold medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
16 Years of Sacrifice
Narendra credited 16 years of relentless hard work and discipline for his Commonwealth Games success. 'There is no shortcut to success,' he said, emphasizing the long, grueling road that led to Glasgow. He shared stories of his early struggles, including days when he could only survive on juice or almond shakes after long, exhausting training sessions. The athlete described how each drop of sweat and every night spent without a full meal contributed to the moment of triumph in Glasgow.
After completing matriculation, he devoted himself to boxing under coach Devraj at the Bhiwani Boxing Academy, a place where his talent was nurtured. This commitment to his craft, paired with unwavering discipline, helped shape the champion who now stands as a beacon for aspiring athletes.
A Call to Action
Narendra urged young athletes to embrace discipline and perseverance. He stressed that success comes from combining hard work with proper sleep, a balanced diet, and trust in their coaches. This message was delivered with personal conviction, as the boxer knows firsthand the price of chasing excellence. 'You must work hard, believe in your team, and never give up,' he said, drawing from his own experiences of sacrifice and success.
He also appealed for better sports infrastructure in rural areas. Narendra's words highlight the need for investment in grassroots sports, which could lead to more champions coming from the heartland of the country.