India’s Boxing Campaign in Glasgow
India’s boxing contingent has made a strong start at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Several Indian boxers have advanced in their respective categories, keeping medal hopes alive for the nation. The team includes seven male and seven female boxers, with expectations for a significant medal haul.
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Sumama Rehman of Pakistan in the men’s 55kg boxing Round of 16. This unanimous decision win on Sunday propelled him into the quarter-finals. Jadumani, hailing from Manipur, showcased control throughout the bout.
This victory follows Jadumani’s earlier success in the Round of 32, where he defeated Scotland’s Aaron Cullen. His performance against Cullen was described as one-sided, setting a confident tone for his subsequent match. Rehman, in contrast, had received a bye in the preliminary round, entering the contest fresh.
Jadumani, who previously earned a silver medal in the 50kg division at last year’s World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida, has moved up to the 55kg category this season. He demonstrated his speed and composure, qualities that have established him as a promising prospect for India. He was also the first Indian boxer to compete in the ring at the Glasgow Games.
The opening round of Jadumani’s bout against Rehman was closely contested, with both boxers exchanging punches. Rehman utilized his height and reach advantage, while Jadumani countered with quick footwork, sharp movement, and fast combinations. The judges narrowly favored Jadumani after the first round, indicating a tight start to the match.
The intensity of the fight escalated in the second round, where Jadumani began to establish greater control. A decisive moment occurred when he scored a knockdown against Rehman, shifting the momentum in his favor. He maintained this advantage through the remainder of the fight, ultimately securing a unanimous verdict from all five judges after three rounds.
Jadumani is now set to face England’s Ellis Trowbridge in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. A victory in this match would guarantee him a place in the medal rounds, as Commonwealth Games boxing rules award bronze medals to both losing semi-finalists.
Other Indian Boxers Progressing
Beyond Jadumani’s success, other Indian boxers are also making their mark. Lovlina Borgohain, an Olympic medallist, has already secured India’s first confirmed boxing medal at the Games. Competing in the women’s 75kg division, Lovlina received a direct bye into the semi-finals. This automatically guarantees her at least a bronze medal, as per Commonwealth Games regulations.
Lovlina is scheduled to compete in the semi-finals on July 31, where she will face Tuvalu’s Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki. This bout will determine her advancement to the gold medal match.
Sachin Siwach, another significant medal hope for India in the men’s 60kg division, has also advanced. He progressed from the Round of 32 after a closely fought contest against Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh, winning by a 4-1 split decision. Siwach, a 26-year-old from Bhiwani, Haryana, is scheduled to compete against England’s William Hewitt on Monday for a spot in the quarter-finals.
In the women’s 54kg category, Preeti Panwar has also advanced to the quarter-finals. She achieved a dominant victory over Deborah Mtenje of Malawi in her Round of 16 contest on Sunday. Preeti, a 22-year-old from Bhiwani, secured the win via a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) decision in the second round.
Mtenje received two standing counts during the bout, one in each round, leading the referee to stop the contest with 47 seconds remaining in the second round. Preeti had received a unanimous nod from all five judges in the first round. This win places Preeti just one victory away from securing her first Commonwealth Games medal.
Preeti, who earned a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games and a gold at the New Delhi World Cup last year, will now face Northern Ireland’s Nicole Clyde in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. Clyde had previously secured a unanimous decision victory against Ghana’s Nancy Bamfo in her pre-quarterfinal match. The two boxers are familiar with each other, having trained together as sparring partners in Belfast before the Games.
Preeti expressed her intent to perform well, stating that her first bout allowed her to assess the ring environment before becoming more aggressive in the second round. She also mentioned having a favorable draw and hopes to secure a medal. With Jadumani, Lovlina, Siwach, and Panwar all making progress, India’s boxing team continues its strong performance across multiple weight categories in Glasgow.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
