Indian boxers advance in Glasgow
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 win propels him into the quarter-finals, maintaining India’s medal aspirations in the category. Mandengbam’s performance on Sunday showcased control throughout the bout, moving him into the last eight competitors.
This victory builds on Mandengbam’s strong start at the Games, having previously defeated Scotland’s Aaron Cullen in the Round of 32. He entered the pre-quarter-final with confidence after a one-sided performance against Cullen. Mandengbam, who earned a silver medal in the 50kg division at last year’s World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida before moving to the 55kg category this season, demonstrated speed and composure in his latest match. He was also the first Indian boxer to compete in the ring at the Glasgow Games.
The opening round of the contest was closely fought, with both boxers exchanging punches. Rehman utilized his height and reach advantage, while Mandengbam countered with quick footwork, sharp movement, and fast combinations. The judges narrowly favored the Indian boxer after the first round. The intensity increased in the second round, where Mandengbam gained control and scored a knockdown against Rehman, shifting the momentum in his favor. He maintained this advantage to secure a unanimous decision after three rounds, with all five judges ruling in his favor.
Mandengbam is now set to face England’s Ellis Trowbridge in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. Under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, both losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals. A victory against Trowbridge would ensure Mandengbam a spot in the semi-finals and guarantee him a place on the podium.
Other Indian boxing successes
In other boxing news from Glasgow, Preeti Panwar advanced to the women’s 54kg quarter-finals with a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) decision over Deborah Mtenje of Malawi. Panwar, an Asian Games bronze medallist, won her Round of 16 bout in the second round. 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. Panwar had received a unanimous nod from all five judges in the first round. This win places Panwar one victory away from securing her first Commonwealth Games medal.
Panwar is scheduled to compete against 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. Panwar mentioned that she used her first bout to assess her performance in the ring, checking the environment in the first round before becoming more aggressive in the second. She expressed optimism about her draw and her chances for a medal.
Lovlina Borgohain has already secured India’s first confirmed boxing medal at the Games. Competing in the women’s 75kg division, Borgohain received a direct bye into the semi-finals, which automatically guarantees her at least a bronze medal. She is slated to face 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 has progressed in the men’s 60kg division. Siwach advanced from the Round of 32 after defeating Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh with a 4-1 split decision in a closely contested match. Siwach, who is 26 years old, will next compete against England’s William Hewitt on Monday for a spot in the quarter-finals. With these advancements, India’s boxing contingent continues to be a strong contender across multiple weight categories in Glasgow.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
