Commonwealth Games boxing: Jadumani Singh, Preeti Panwar advance to quarter-finals
India’s strong start in Glasgow
India’s boxing contingent has made a strong start at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with several athletes advancing in their respective categories. Among them, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam secured a dominant victory to reach the quarter-finals, while Preeti Panwar also advanced, moving one step closer to a medal.
Lovlina Borgohain has already guaranteed India its first boxing medal of the Games. Competing in the women’s 75kg division, Borgohain received a direct bye into the semi-finals, which automatically assures her of at least a bronze medal under Commonwealth Games regulations where both losing semi-finalists receive podium finishes. She is scheduled to compete in the semi-finals on July 31, with the gold medal bout at stake.
The Indian boxing team in Glasgow consists of 14 members, evenly split with seven male and seven female boxers, reflecting expectations for a significant medal haul at the Games.
Jadumani Singh’s dominant performance
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam delivered an assured performance in the men’s 55kg boxing category, defeating Sumama Rehman of Pakistan by a unanimous decision. This victory in Sunday’s Round of 16 contest secured his place in the quarter-finals.
The boxer from Manipur showcased control throughout the bout, earning a 5-0 victory over his Pakistani opponent. This win builds on his earlier success in the Round of 32, where he opened his campaign with a convincing win against Aaron Cullen of Scotland.
The opening round of the contest against Rehman was closely fought, with both fighters exchanging punches. Rehman utilized his height and reach advantage, while Jadumani relied on quick footwork and combinations. Judges narrowly favored the Indian after the first round. However, Jadumani established greater control in the second round, scoring a knockdown on Rehman and shifting the momentum. He maintained this advantage to secure a unanimous verdict from all five judges.
Jadumani will now face Ellis Trowbridge of England in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. A victory in this match would guarantee him a place in the medal rounds, as both losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals under Commonwealth Games boxing rules.
Preeti Panwar advances, Sachin Siwach continues campaign
In the women’s 54kg category, Preeti Panwar advanced to the quarter-finals with a dominating win over Deborah Mtenje of Malawi. Panwar, who previously won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games and a gold at the World Boxing Cup Finals last year, won her Round of 16 contest via Referee Stop Contest (RSC) decision in the second round.
The Malawi boxer 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. Panwar had received the unanimous nod from all five judges in the first round. This victory places Panwar one win away from securing her first Commonwealth Games medal.
Panwar is scheduled to face Nicole Clyde of Northern Ireland in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. Clyde secured her spot in the quarter-finals by defeating Nancy Bamfo of Ghana in the pre-quarterfinals. The two boxers have previously trained together as sparring partners in Belfast ahead of the Games.
Elsewhere in Glasgow, Sachin Siwach also progressed in the men’s 60kg division. Siwach advanced from the Round of 32 after a 4-1 split decision victory against Keoma Al-Ahmadieh of Canada. Siwach, from Bhiwani, Haryana, will next compete against William Hewitt of England on Monday, with a quarter-final spot at stake.
With Jadumani Singh, Preeti Panwar, Lovlina Borgohain, and Sachin Siwach all making progress, India’s boxing contingent remains a strong contender across multiple weight categories as the competition continues in Glasgow.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
