Indian Boxer Jadumani Singh Shines with 5-0 Victory Over Pakistan on Kargil Vijay Diwas at Commonwealth Games
Glasgow, July 27: Indian boxer Jadumani Singh Mandengbam delivered an impressive performance by defeating Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman with a unanimous 5-0 decision in the men’s 55kg Round of 16 at the Commonwealth Games 2026. The victory on Sunday night at the Scottish Event Campus propelled him into the quarterfinals.
The 22-year-old boxer from Manipur effectively managed the intense India-Pakistan matchup after a competitive start, keeping India's chances for a medal in the category alive. The event also bore additional significance as it coincided with Kargil Vijay Diwas, marking India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War.
Rehman, who bypassed the opening round with a bye and had a notable height and reach advantage, aimed to control the fight with long punches and counters. However, Jadumani utilized his superior speed, footwork, and sharp combinations to consistently close the gap.
The first round saw both fighters exchanging hard-hitting combinations, but Jadumani’s precision and calmness gave him the edge on the judges’ scorecards. He dominated the second round, slipping Rehman’s attacks while landing clean punches and forcing a standing eight-count on the Pakistani boxer. Jadumani’s pressure and cleaner technique ensured he won the round unanimously. He also displayed a touch of showmanship near the end, much to the delight of Indian supporters.
In the final round, despite Rehman’s increased efforts, Jadumani’s defensive skills, movement, and ring control thwarted any potential comeback. All five judges scored the fight 5-0 in favor of the Indian boxer, confirming his decisive victory.
Speaking post-match, Jadumani dedicated his win to the heroes of the Kargil War.
He expressed, “I dedicate my win to the Kargil heroes. I felt great winning against Pakistan. I will perform even better in the quarterfinals and secure a Gold for India,” he mentioned to ANI.
The victory occurred on the same day as the country observed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, adding emotional weight to the India-Pakistan face-off in the ring.
Jadumani commenced his Commonwealth Games journey with a similarly dominant 5-0 win over Scotland's Aaron Cullen in the Round of 32 on Friday. His successive victories underscore a strong beginning for the boxer, who has moved up from the 50kg division this year.
He previously secured silver in the 50kg category at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida last year before moving up a weight class. The added strength and recovery from the weight shift have been evident in Glasgow, where he appears sharp and unfazed.
In the upcoming quarterfinals on Tuesday, Jadumani will face England’s Ellis Trowbridge. Winning this bout would advance him to the semi-finals, assuring him at least a bronze medal, as the Commonwealth Games award medals to both losing semi-finalists in boxing.
Jadumani's victory was part of a successful day for Indian boxing. Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar also progressed to the women’s 54kg quarterfinals following a second-round referee-stopped contest win. Meanwhile, Lovlina Borgohain is guaranteed at least a bronze after receiving a bye into the semi-finals in her category.
Jadumani’s adept handling of the pressure in an India-Pakistan bout, coupled with his dedication to the Kargil heroes, has provided the Indian contingent and fans with a memorable highlight early in the Glasgow Games. Attention now shifts to his quarterfinal challenge as he continues his quest for a Commonwealth Games medal.
