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During the meeting, heavyweight boxer and silver medalist Narendra Berwal recounted an interesting anecdote from the 2015 World Military Games to Prime Minister Modi. He explained that a Pakistani boxer’s comment about his name after defeating him made the bout even more memorable for him.

What was the story of the Pakistani boxer?

Narinder Berwal told Prime Minister Modi an incident from the 2015 World Military Games, “There were World Military Games in 2015 and it was my first fight with Pakistan. I received calls from the military saying that I should not lose to Pakistan. So I won the first round 4-1 and the second round 3-2. But our heads collided and we got cuts. I won that fight, but after that, both of us went to the hospital.”

He further said, “When you became Prime Minister for the first time in 2014, our army coach accompanied us. His name was Narendra Rana. Then, after thinking for a long time, the Pakistani boxer asked me, ‘Brother, can I tell you something?’ I said, ‘Say it.’ He said, ‘Your name is Narendra, your coach’s name is Narendra, your PM’s name is Narendra…’ So, I have come to hate the name Narendra.” Even PM Modi couldn’t stop laughing after hearing this story.

Which medal did Narendra win this time?

Narendra Berwal won the silver medal in the men’s 90+ kg (super heavyweight) category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He previously won the bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games. Narendra Berwal hails from Sorki village in Haryana’s Hisar district. He serves as a Subedar in the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army.