Jadumani Singh advances to quarter-finals at Commonwealth Games; Preeti Panwar one win from medal
Jadumani Singh secures quarter-final spot
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam of India secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman in the men’s 55kg boxing Round of 16 at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. This unanimous decision win on Sunday propelled him into the quarter-finals, maintaining India’s medal aspirations in his category.
The boxer from Manipur displayed control throughout the bout. His performance built on an earlier convincing win against Scotland’s Aaron Cullen in the Round of 32, showcasing speed and composure. Jadumani, who previously won silver in the 50kg division at last year’s World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida before transitioning to the 55kg category, was the first member of India’s boxing contingent to compete at the Glasgow Games.
The initial round of the contest was closely fought, with both boxers exchanging punches. Rehman utilized his height and reach, while Jadumani countered with quick footwork and combinations. Judges narrowly favored the Indian after the first round. The intensity escalated in the second round, where Jadumani established greater control and scored a knockdown against Rehman, shifting the momentum. He maintained this advantage, securing a unanimous verdict from all five judges after three rounds.
Jadumani’s victory sets up a quarter-final clash with England’s Ellis Trowbridge on Tuesday. A win 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.
Preeti Panwar advances to quarter-finals
In the women’s 54kg category, Preeti Panwar also advanced to the quarter-finals after a decisive win against Deborah Mtenje of Malawi. The Asian Games bronze medallist secured her victory via a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) decision in the second round of her Round of 16 bout on Sunday.
The 22-year-old boxer from Bhiwani, who also earned a gold at the New Delhi World Cup last year, dominated her opponent. The Malawi boxer received two standing counts, 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 one victory away from securing her first Commonwealth Games medal. She is scheduled to 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-quarter-final match. The two boxers have a history, having trained together as sparring partners in Belfast prior to the Games.
Other Indian boxing developments
India’s boxing contingent, comprising seven male and seven female boxers, continues its campaign in Glasgow with expectations for a strong medal haul. Lovlina Borgohain, an Olympic medallist, has already secured India’s first confirmed boxing medal of the Games. Competing in the women’s 75kg division, Lovlina received a direct bye into the semi-finals, guaranteeing her at least a bronze medal under Commonwealth Games regulations, which award bronze to both defeated semi-finalists.
Lovlina is scheduled to compete against Tuvalu’s Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki in the semi-finals on July 31, with a place in the gold medal bout at stake. Additionally, Sachin Siwach, a prominent medal hope in the men’s 60kg division, also progressed from the Round of 32. He defeated Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh by a 4-1 split decision in a closely contested bout. The 26-year-old from Bhiwani, Haryana, will next face England’s William Hewitt on Monday for a spot in the quarter-finals.
With Jadumani advancing, Lovlina assured of a medal, and Siwach continuing his campaign, India’s boxing team remains strongly positioned across various weight categories as the competition progresses in Glasgow.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
