How Jadumani Singh's risky weight change nearly derailed his CWG dream
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam secured a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He overcame significant selection hurdles and a weight category gamble to achieve this success. His journey highlights resilience and determination in pursuing his boxing aspirations. The young boxer's performance was part of India's historic boxing campaign at the Games.
Indian boxer Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, a standout performer in the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, reached the men's 55kg silver medal match after a journey fraught with challenges. The 22-year-old Manipuri boxer had won four consecutive unanimous 5-0 decisions to advance to the bantamweight final, securing a silver against Australia's Jye Dixon. This success marked India's first year as the top boxing nation at the Games, boasting a historic haul of seven golds and three silvers.
However, the path to this triumph was paved with uncertainty, selection hurdles, and a daring decision to move up from the 50kg category to the 55kg division, which no longer existed in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, or Olympic programme. This strategic move came after Jadumani's mentor, Laishram Sarita Devi, advised him to make the switch, as he continued to seek her counsel on major decisions.
Sarita recalled how Jadumani grappled with the decision, particularly when he learned that the Army Sports Institute had its top-ranked boxer in the 55kg category, as did Olympian Amit Panghal. Despite these concerns, Sarita encouraged her protégé, emphasizing the importance of confidence in his choice. With this assurance, Jadumani moved up the category despite the lack of national championship qualification or military representation in the weight class.
The selection process for the Games was further complicated by the absence of a ranking for boxers in the new 55kg category under the Sports Ministry's eligibility criteria. Jadumani, ranked No. 2 in the 50kg category, had only competed in one Asian Championship in the 55kg division, where he lost in the quarterfinals. This led to doubts about his medal prospects, causing significant stress before Glasgow.
However, a Boxing Federation of India (BFI) policy allowing direct entries to the National Championships for World Boxing Cup medallists proved crucial. This policy enabled Jadumani to compete in the 55kg category in the Nationals, where he emerged victorious against top-ranked opponents, including Services No.
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