'Quilling helps me handle pressure': Boxer Preeti Pawar on creative stress busters ahead of Asian Games push
New Delhi, Aug 9
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar, who recently clinched gold at the Asian Boxing Championships, said that engaging in quilling and calligraphy serves as her primary stress buster to avoid overthinking during high-pressure international tournaments.
Preeti, currently preparing for the upcoming Asian Games, spoke about her creative outlet, her meticulous routine during gruelling weight cuts, and her preparations for future competitions.
Yes, whenever I get time, I do quilling. Before going to the Commonwealth Games, we had a training camp in Belfast. Whenever I was free, I did quilling. I made a poster for Shri Bhaiyya with quilling. He liked it a lot. I have made a lot of posters for my teammates as well.
For Preeti, detailed artwork is more than just a hobby; it acts as a mental reset away from the demanding world of competitive boxing.
"I like doing quilling and calligraphy. It diverts my mind from sports for a while. I think it is important to divert yourself for a while. I personally feel that if we think too much, overthinking is not good. Quilling helps me to maintain pressure and feel relaxed," she added.
Her artistic gestures have resonated deeply with fellow Indian athletes, including high jumper Tejaswin Shankar, who recently made a remarkable podium finish following a major injury comeback. Inspired by his resilience, Preeti crafted a special piece of art for him after learning about his mindset and recovery journey.
"He made a strong comeback. I wanted to make something for him. He was very happy when I gave it to him. He shared a lot of things with me. How he made his comeback and his mindset. I was very inspired by his story," she said.
Preeti, a JSW athlete, further detailed the challenging physical demands of match-day preparations, particularly managing weight cuts of around 1.5 kg shortly before stepping into the ring.
"Weight cutting is definitely a challenge, though I have been doing this for a long time. The most important thing is what we eat before the bout. At the last moment, after cutting weight, we don't eat anything until weigh-in. Rehydrating properly right after is crucial so that performance isn't affected," she explained.
With as little as three hours between early morning weigh-ins and scheduled bouts, Preeti said she follows a strict step-by-step recovery and mental preparation routine.
"I make a bout plan the day before. On match day, after cutting weight by 6:30 AM and completing weigh-in, I rehydrate around 7:00 AM and take proper nutrition. If time permits, I take a quick nap before heading to the arena. I also like to visualise the bout beforehand-it really helps me mentally," she noted.
Riding high on her gold medal performance at the Asian Championship, Preeti is set to fine-tune her tactical strategy in upcoming training camps alongside her coaches as she targets top honours at the Asian Games.
Speaking about the level of competition at the Asian Games in Japan compared to the Commonwealth Games. Preeti said, "I think it's tough; there are a lot of good countries in Asia that are doing well in boxing. But I think the Asian Championship was held last March, and I won a gold medal there. It was a great experience for me and for the Asian Games as well.
"Mostly the same countries will participate in the Asian Games, and I think I will meet the same opponents there. Next, I will discuss with the coaches what areas I want to work on and what will be our game plan for the Asian Games. We will discuss that in the training camp."
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a great example of how athletes manage pressure. The weight cutting part is no joke - 1.5 kg before a bout is tough. Hats off to her discipline and the way she plans her match day routine. I hope the coaches give her the right game plan for the Asian Games. She has the potential to win big.
Interesting story. As someone who works in a high-stress corporate job, I completely understand the need for a creative outlet. Quilling is actually quite therapeutic - it requires patience and focus, which probably translates well to her boxing preparation. Great to see athletes from India getting recognition.
The way she made art for Tejaswin Shankar after his comeback is so touching. It shows the camaraderie among Indian athletes. And her approach to visualisation before bouts - that's some serious mental conditioning. We need more stories like this in Indian sports media.
One thing I'd like to point out - the Asian Games are going to be tougher than the Commonwealth Games. The article mentions Japan and other strong Asian countries. I hope the federation provides better training support and recovery facilities. Good luck to Preeti! 🥇
The fact that she makes posters for her teammates is so wholesome. 😊 It's not just about individual success - she's building team morale too. And her discipline with the weigh-in and rehydration routine shows how professional she is. Truly an inspiration for young athletes, especially girls from smaller towns.
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