Indian boxer Narender Berwal recounts humorous encounter with Pakistani opponent
Indian boxer Narender Berwal recently shared a humorous anecdote with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interaction with Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists. The story involved a Pakistani boxer who developed an aversion to the name ‘Narendra’ after a defeat.
During the interaction on Sunday, Berwal, who secured a silver medal in the men’s 90+ kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026, recounted an incident from the 2015 World Military Games. He had defeated a Pakistani opponent in his first-round bout at the event.
A Humorous Encounter
Berwal explained that after the bout, both boxers required medical attention for cuts sustained during the fight and ended up in the hospital. It was there that the Pakistani boxer noticed a recurring name. According to Berwal, his coach at the Military Games was also named Narender.
The Pakistani boxer reportedly told Berwal, “Aapka naam Narender hai, aapke coach ka naam Narender hai, aapke Pradhan Mantri ka naam Narendra hai. Mujhe Narendra naam se nafrat ho gayi hai.” This translates to: “Your name is Narender, your coach’s name is Narender, your Prime Minister’s name is Narendra. I have started hating the name Narendra.”
This remark, shared by Berwal, drew laughter from Prime Minister Modi and others present at the meeting. The story highlighted the unexpected coincidence of the name ‘Narendra’ appearing multiple times in the Pakistani boxer’s experience following his match against Berwal.
The interaction with Prime Minister Modi took place at his residence in New Delhi, where he met the Indian contingent from the Commonwealth Games 2026. He congratulated the athletes for their dedication and hard work, acknowledging their contributions to bringing glory to the country.
India’s Boxing Performance
India’s boxing team achieved its best-ever performance at the Commonwealth Games with a total of 10 medals. This tally surpassed the previous record of six medals. The 10-medal haul included seven gold and three silver medals.
The gold medallists included Ankush Panghal, Sachin Siwach, Jaismine Lamboria, Preeti Pawar, Sakshi Chaudhary, Arundhati Choudhary, and Priya Ghanghas. Alongside Narender Berwal, Lovlina Borgohain and Jadumani Singh also secured silver medals.
The Commonwealth Games 2026, held in Glasgow, concluded after 11 days of competition. India finished fourth in the overall medal standings, accumulating a total of 39 medals. This included 13 gold, 17 silver, and nine bronze medals.
The closing ceremony in Glasgow also featured the formal handover of the Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial baton to India. India is set to host the landmark centenary edition of the multi-sport event in Ahmedabad in 2030.
Berwal’s silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 adds to his list of achievements. The Indian Army junior commissioned officer previously earned a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games and has also won two Asian Championships medals.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the Indian athletes to reflect on their performances and share memorable moments from the Glasgow Games. Berwal’s story about the Pakistani boxer’s reaction to the name ‘Narendra’ was a highlight of the interaction.
The Prime Minister’s interaction with the medallists underscored the nation’s appreciation for their efforts. The humorous exchange served as a lighthearted moment during the formal recognition of the athletes’ achievements.
The Commonwealth Games 2026 marked a significant milestone for Indian boxing, setting a new record for medal wins in the sport.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
