CWG 2026: India's Jadumani Singh batters home favourite to set-up Rd 16 clash with Pakistani boxer

Indian boxer Jadumani Singh Mandengbam has annihilated home favourite Aaron Cullen of Scotland to kick off his Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign in style on July 24.

Jadumani Singh mauls Aaron Cullen to cruise into Rd 16

He battered Cullen via unanimous decision 5:0 to storm into pre-quarterfinals of Men's 55 kg category. Jadumani will next face Pakistani pugilist Sumama Rehman. 

Jadumani showed great maturity in his fight against the home crowd favorite. After building an insurmountable lead by dominating the first two rounds, the 22-year-old conserve his energy and relied on a firm defense to seal the win in the final frame. The judges' scorecards reflected his complete control, granting the Indian unanimous 10s in every round compared to Cullen's straight 9s.

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India's medal haul in the ring is already off to a guaranteed start through Lovlina Borgohain. Due to a small field of just five entries in the women's 75kg category, the 28-year-old received a direct passage to the semifinals, locking up no less than a bronze medal before even stepping into the ring.

Who is Jadumani Singh?

Jadumani Singh has rapidly emerged as one of Indian boxing’s brightest prospects following a standout year on both the domestic and international stages. After securing top spot at the national trials and claiming a silver medal at the World Boxing Cup Finals, the Manipuri pugilist earned his ticket to the 2026 Commonwealth Games. 

Grassroots and Grit

Growing up in Iroishemba village near Imphal, Jadumani originally set his sights on a career in football. While his family initially urged him to prioritise his studies, a pivotal nudge from his uncle redirected him toward the boxing ring. His potential was recognized early on during a local tournament, where Indian legends MC Mary Kom and L. Sarita Devi handed out small cash prizes to standout youth talents. That spark, combined with unwavering family backing—even amidst recent civil unrest in his home state—fueled his transition into a full-time boxer.

Ascent through the ranks

After rising through the youth system, Jadumani announced himself at the senior level by capturing the national title in the 55kg category. His domestic dominance opened doors to international competition, allowing him to test his skills against elite opposition across South America, Europe, and Asia. Key milestones along the way included a quarter-final run at the Asian U-22 & Youth Championships and a valuable appearance at the World Boxing Championships.

Golden breakthrough

The turning point came during a blockbuster 2025 campaign. Jadumani advanced to the semi-finals of the World Boxing Cup in Brazil before storming to a silver medal in the 50kg division at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida. Feeding off the home crowd, he powered past contenders from Kazakhstan and Australia before falling just short against Uzbekistan's Asilbek Jalilov in the final. Capping off his breakthrough year, he dominated the selection trials to seal his place on the Indian team for Glasgow.