Pakistan’s 22-year-old boxer Fatima Zahra has made history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to win a boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games, marking a major milestone for the country’s women’s sports.
Fatima secured at least a bronze medal after reaching the women’s 60kg semi-final by defeating New Zealand’s Jordan Wilson with a unanimous 5-0 decision in the quarter-final. Under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, all losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals, guaranteeing her a place on the podium.
In the semi-final, Fatima was defeated by Canada’s Marie Bathol Al-Ahmadiya. Despite the loss, she claimed the bronze medal, which also became Pakistan’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Her achievement also ended Pakistan’s 12-year wait for a Commonwealth Games boxing medal. The country’s previous boxing medal came at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where Muhammad Waseem won a silver medal.
Speaking after her historic achievement, Fatima said women’s boxing in Pakistan is steadily progressing and described her bronze medal as proof that the country is moving in the right direction. She added that while her ultimate goal remains winning a gold medal, bringing home a bronze is a proud moment for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s star javelin thrower and defending Commonwealth champion Arshad Nadeem was unable to retain his title after finishing ninth in the men’s final.
Arshad opened the competition with a foul on his first attempt before registering a throw of 77.41 metres on his second attempt. His third throw measured 75.39 metres, leaving him outside the top eight athletes required to qualify for the final three rounds.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga won the gold medal with a throw of 89.75 metres, while India’s Neeraj Chopra secured the silver medal with a season-best effort of 85.83 metres. Under the competition rules, only the top eight athletes after the first three attempts advanced to the final rounds, ending Arshad’s campaign early.
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