India’s Boxing Team Shines at Commonwealth Games 2026
India’s boxing team had a fantastic day at the Commonwealth Games 2026, highlighted by Jadumani Singh Mandengbam’s impressive win over Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman in a thrilling men’s 55kg Round of 16 match. Additionally, Preeti Pawar advanced closer to a medal by reaching the women’s 54kg quarterfinals on Sunday.
The excitement was palpable during the India-Pakistan match, with enthusiastic chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” resonating throughout the arena as fans rallied behind Jadumani. The bout was one of the most anticipated events of the day.
The fight kicked off with high energy, as Rehman attempted to disrupt Jadumani’s flow with physical tactics. Initially, Jadumani took a step back, absorbing the pressure while trying to establish his rhythm. Though Rehman found some success early on, Jadumani started landing clearer punches toward the end of the first round, gaining an edge on the scorecards.
Jadumani Takes Control
The second round saw a decisive shift in favor of Jadumani. He began to take charge, cornering Rehman and delivering sharp counter-punches while avoiding his opponent’s wild swings. A pivotal moment occurred when Rehman was knocked down, prompting the referee to administer a count.
Feeling confident, Jadumani even managed a playful salute just before the round concluded, much to the delight of his fans. With a solid lead heading into the final round, he fought smartly, avoiding unnecessary brawls. His movement, timing, and accuracy led to a clear 5-0 unanimous decision victory from all five judges, showcasing his dominance in the ring.
The intensity remained after the final bell, with no handshake or embrace exchanged between the two boxers following their fierce contest.
Preeti Advances Smoothly
Earlier in the day, Asian Games bronze medalist Preeti Pawar smoothly advanced to the women’s 54kg quarterfinals after a second-round stoppage against Malawi’s Deborah Mtenje. The 22-year-old from Bhiwani maintained complete control throughout the Round of 16 match, securing a unanimous round win and forcing standing counts in both rounds. The referee stopped the match with 47 seconds left in the second round as Mtenje struggled to keep up.
Now, Preeti is just one step away from her first Commonwealth Games medal. She will next face Northern Ireland’s Nicole Clyde, who won her bout against Ghana’s Nancy Bamfo by unanimous decision. The two boxers are familiar with each other, having trained together in Belfast.
Preeti mentioned she used the first round to assess the ring conditions before intensifying her performance in the second. She expressed her satisfaction with her current path and her hope of clinching a medal.
With Jadumani’s remarkable victory and Preeti closing in on a medal, India continues to make a strong impression in the boxing events in Glasgow, with several boxers remaining in contention for podium finishes.
