Indian Boxers Jadumani and Preeti Surge Toward Medals at Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam dominated a high-stakes clash against Pakistan's Sumama Rehman to reach the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Asian Games medalist Preeti Pawar secured a swift victory over Malawi’s Deborah Mtenje to move within one win of the podium.
Technical Dominance in High-Stakes Rivalry
In a contest defined by tactical precision and intense regional rivalry, India's Jadumani Singh Mandengbam secured a unanimous 5-0 victory over Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman on July 26, 2026. Competing in the 55kg round of 16 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, the Army boxer utilized superior ringcraft to dismantle his opponent. The atmosphere inside the arena was charged with emotion as the crowd rallied behind the Indian athlete, who later dedicated his performance to the veterans of the Kargil War.
After an initial period of gauging his opponent, Jadumani accelerated his offense in the second round. A powerful right hand forced the referee to issue a standing count to Rehman. By the final round, the Indian boxer controlled the center of the ring, effectively baiting Rehman into exchanges before neutralizing him with rapid counter-striking. Jadumani now requires a single victory in the quarterfinals to guarantee a medal.
Pawar and Pratap: Mixed Outcomes in the Ring
Preeti Pawar, a bronze medalist at the 2022 Asian Games, demonstrated similar dominance in the 54kg category. Facing Malawi’s Deborah Mtenje, Pawar dictated the pace from the opening bell, earning unanimous scores from all five judges in the first round. The bout concluded prematurely when the referee intervened 47 seconds into the second round, declaring a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) victory for Pawar after Mtenje suffered two standing counts. The New Delhi World Cup champion is now positioned one win away from her first Commonwealth Games medal.
However, the Indian contingent faced a setback in the 65kg division. Aditya Pratap exited the competition following a narrow 2:3 split-decision loss to Uganda's Nuhu Batte. Despite the loss in the middleweight bracket, the advancement of both Jadumani and Pawar keeps India’s podium aspirations strong as the tournament enters the critical quarterfinal stages.
- Jadumani Singh Mandengbam: Won 5-0 vs Sumama Rehman (Pakistan)
- Preeti Pawar: Won via RSC vs Deborah Mtenje (Malawi)
- Aditya Pratap: Lost 2:3 vs Nuhu Batte (Uganda)
Source: The Hindu — Home
