Glasgow: Jadumani Singh advances to boxing quarter-finals, Preeti Panwar one win from medal
India’s Boxing Success in Glasgow
India’s Jadumani Singh Mandengbam secured his place in the men’s 55kg boxing quarter-finals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He achieved a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman in their Round of 16 contest on Sunday, maintaining India’s medal aspirations in the category. This win follows an earlier convincing performance against Scotland’s Aaron Cullen in the Round of 32.
Jadumani, a boxer from Manipur, showcased control throughout his bout against Rehman. The initial round 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 the Indian boxer in the first round.
The intensity of the match increased significantly in the second round. Jadumani gradually took greater control, scoring a knockdown on Rehman, which shifted 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.
This victory sends Jadumani to the quarter-finals, where he is scheduled to compete against England’s Ellis Trowbridge on Tuesday. A win in this upcoming bout would guarantee him a place in the medal rounds, as Commonwealth Games boxing rules award bronze medals to both losing semi-finalists.
Preeti Panwar Dominates and Eyes Medal
In the women’s 54kg category, Preeti Panwar also advanced to the quarter-finals with a commanding performance. The 22-year-old from Bhiwani secured a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) decision in the second round against Deborah Mtenje of Malawi. This win places Preeti just one victory away from securing her first Commonwealth Games medal.
Preeti, an Asian Games bronze medallist and a gold medallist at the New Delhi World Cup last year, demonstrated her skill by dominating her opponent. 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. Preeti had also received a unanimous nod from all five judges in the first round.
She is set to face Northern Ireland’s Nicole Clyde in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. Clyde previously secured a unanimous decision victory against Ghana’s Nancy Bamfo in her pre-quarter-final match. The two boxers are familiar with each other, having trained together as sparring partners in Belfast prior to the Games.
Preeti commented on her performance, stating that her first bout allowed her to assess the ring environment in the first round before becoming more aggressive in the second. She expressed optimism about her draw and her chances for a medal.
Further Indian Boxing Progress
India’s boxing contingent, comprising seven male and seven female boxers, has seen further success in Glasgow. Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain has already guaranteed India’s first boxing medal of the Games. Competing in the women’s 75kg division, Lovlina received a direct bye into the semi-finals, which automatically assures her of at least a bronze medal under 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 for a spot in the gold medal bout. Additionally, Sachin Siwach, a prominent medal hopeful in the men’s 60kg division, has also progressed. He advanced from the Round of 32 after defeating Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh with a 4-1 split decision in a closely contested match. The 26-year-old from Bhiwani, Haryana, will next compete against England’s William Hewitt on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.
With Jadumani and Preeti advancing, Lovlina already securing a medal, and Siwach continuing his campaign, India’s boxing team remains a strong contender across multiple weight categories in Glasgow.
Source: theprint.in
Priya Menon 