Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Indian boxers secure 10 final berths

By Sanjay Menon — 31 July 2026 — 3 min read

Indian Boxers Dominant in Glasgow

India’s boxing contingent delivered a strong performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with 10 pugilists advancing to the finals. This significant achievement positions India for a potential gold rush in the boxing competition.

Among the boxers who secured their spots in the gold medal bouts are Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas, Arundhati Choudhary, Lovlina Borgohain, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, Sachin Siwach, Ankush Panghal, and Narender Berwal. Their collective success highlights a remarkable day for the Indian team in the ring.

Arundhati Choudhary notably defeated defending champion Rosie Eccles of Wales with a 4-0 victory in a women’s 70kg semi-final. This bout was described as messy and ill-tempered, with Choudhary maintaining her performance from the first two rounds, which included forcing Eccles to receive a standing count.

World champion Jaismine Lamboria showcased her dominance in the women’s 57kg category, securing her final spot via a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) decision against Rapelang Maselela of Lesotho. Lamboria controlled the bout from the outset, delivering sharp combinations and precise footwork. Maselela received her third standing count in the closing seconds of the second round, leading to the RSC decision.

Lovlina Borgohain, an Olympic medallist, advanced to the finals with a unanimous 5-0 victory over Tarona Khanum Badi Pasoni Taafaki of Tuvalu. Borgohain’s performance was characterized by effective use of her long reach, sharp footwork, and crisp combinations, dictating the pace of the match from the opening bell.

Key Victories and Performances

Preeti Pawar and Ankush Panghal both achieved commanding 5-0 wins in their respective semi-final matches. Preeti out-punched Catherine Mwape of Zambia, demonstrating effective counter-attacks with her left straight. Mwape struggled to connect and faced three counts in the first two rounds, with all five judges marking 10-8 in Preeti’s favor in the second round. Preeti, an Asian Games bronze medallist, is set to face Scarlett Delgado of Canada in the final.

Ankush Panghal, competing in the men’s 80kg category, outclassed Joshua Ofori of Canada with a similar 5-0 verdict. Ofori resorted to repeated clinching after being outboxed in the initial rounds. Ankush, a southpaw, absorbed pressure and countered with crisp combinations. He is scheduled to face Dimeji Shittu of England in the gold-medal match.

Ankush’s journey to the finals reflects a rapid rise in his boxing career, which began nine years ago at the age of 11. He trained at a government school in Gangwa village in Hisar under coach Pradeep Sawant. His early success included becoming a national champion at 14 in the school nationals (U-14) category, which led to a monthly stipend under the Khelo India scheme. He later secured medals at the World Cup finals and senior nationals, now receiving support from Olympic Gold Quest and being part of the Army Sports Institute.

Other notable victories included Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, who entered the men’s 55kg final by defeating P. P. M. Haoseb of Namibia with a unanimous 5-0 decision. Sakshi Chaudhary delivered a dominant display in the women’s 51kg semi-finals, beating Amber Jane Wall of Canada 5-0. Priya Ghanghas also secured her spot in the women’s 60kg final with a unanimous 5-0 decision against Lucy Kings-Wheatley of England.

Narender Berwal concluded a successful day for India in the ring, outclassing Nigel Paul of Trinidad and Tobago in the men’s 90+kg category with a unanimous 5-0 decision from the judges. The Indian boxers’ performances have guaranteed at least a silver medal for India in several categories, with the opportunity to convert these into gold in the upcoming final bouts.

Source: m.rediff.com