World No. 3 Preeti Pawar stormed into the women’s 54kg final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after defeating Zambia’s Catherine Mwape by a unanimous 5-0 decision on Friday. Preeti is a two-time Asian champion across the U-22 and elite levels.

The opening round began with both boxers exchanging punches evenly, but Preeti soon found success with her backhand, an overhand left and a sharp jab. Mwape received her first standing eight-count as the Indian took control.

Mwape continued to press forward in the second round, but Preeti remained composed, using excellent footwork before landing a crisp right, quick combinations and a left uppercut. The Zambian received two further standing counts during the round.

Preeti used the full ring effectively in the third, finding her range and landing a solid body shot despite Mwape’s aggression. All five judges awarded every round to the Indian, scoring the bout 30-25, 30-25, 30-26, 30-24 and 30-25.

Preeti will face Canada’s Scarlett Delgado in the final.

Ankush Panghal beats Ofori to enter final

Ankush Panghal advanced to the men’s 80kg final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after defeating Canada’s Joshua Ofori by a unanimous 5-0 decision.

The Indian produced a superb opening three minutes, landing clean straight punches and strong hooks from both hands. He grew in confidence during the second round, clipping Ofori with a sharp right hook and repeatedly finding the target with his neat technique. The Canadian was also deducted a point for using his head.

Ofori responded with a good left hook early in the third, catching Ankush after the Indian left his chin exposed. Both boxers exchanged wild swings during a strong finish, but Ankush had already done enough to secure victory.

Four judges scored the contest 30-26, while the fifth had it 29-27. It was Ankush’s third consecutive unanimous points victory at the Games as he booked his place in the final.

Jaismine beats Maselela by RSC, enters final

India’s Jaismine Lamboria advanced after a dominant stoppage victory over Rapelang Maselela in the women’s 57kg bout.

The reigning world champion controlled the contest from the opening bell, reading her opponent well and landing accurate straight punches. Maselela attempted to work the body, but Jaismine responded with a sharp left and repeatedly caught her opponent while maintaining distance. All five judges awarded the opening round to the Indian, with four scoring it 10-9 and one handing her a 10-8 advantage.

Jaismine increased the pressure in the second round. She allowed Maselela to step forward before countering with clean punches, forcing the referee to administer an early standing count. A straight shot to the face soon led to a second count, before another rapid attack brought a third.

With Maselela having received three standing counts, the referee stopped the contest at the end of the second round. Jaismine progressed through a Referee Stops Contest decision after another authoritative performance.

Arundhati edges past Rosie Eccles

Arundhati Choudhary advanced with a 4-0 points victory over 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rosie Eccles after a heated contest in the Women’s 70kg semifinal.

The two boxers repeatedly came together and had to be separated by the referee, but Arundhati landed the cleaner, more purposeful punches. She grew in confidence after taking the opening round and remained visibly relaxed, smiling through the exchanges.

Despite being deducted a point in the third round, the Indian stayed composed to secure scores of 29-27 on four cards, with the fifth level at 28-28.

Jadumani will go for gold

Jadumani Singh maintained India’s streak as he beat Namibia’s Philip Haoseb with an unanimous 5-0 decision in his semifinal to enter the men’s 55kg final.

The Indian will face Australia’s Jye Dixon in the final. Dixon had beaten Amadu Mohammed 4-1 in the other semifinal.

The first round saw both pugilists attack each other from the off, trading punches and showing off their light feet. But it was the Indian who clean swept all the rounds, winning them 5-0 to ease past his opponent and assure himself of at least a silver medal.

Sakshi also enters final

Sakshi became the sixth Indian boxer to enter the finals after she unanimously beat Canada’s Amber-Jane Wall 5-0 in her women’s 51kg semifinal.

She will face either England’s Ruby White or Namibia’s Mischa Araes in the final.

Priya clinches thriller

Priya Ghanghas entered the women’s 60kg final after beating England’s Lucy Kings-Wheatley in a closely-contested semifinal.

After the boxers took a round each, with identical scores of 4-1, the Indian triumphed in the deciding third round to take an unanimous win.

Priya will face Canada’s Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh in the final.

Lovlina makes easy work of opponent

Quite an easy bout for Lovlina Borgohain as she becomes the eighth Indian boxer on the day to enter her respective final.

The Olympic medallist, who’d gotten a bye in the quarterfinals, beat Tuvalu’s Tarona Taafaki 5-0. She will face Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree in the women’s 75kg final.

Published on Jul 31, 2026