Who is Jadumani Singh? Manipur has produced many outstanding athletes for the country. Among them, one is rapidly making his mark: Jadumani Singh Mandengbam. This 22-year-old boxer won a silver medal for India in the men’s 55 kg weight category at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. In the final, Jadumani faced Australia’s Jaye Dixon.
Jadumani held out hope for a comeback in the early stages of the bout, but Dixon displayed remarkable composure in the third round, securing a 5-0 decision. Dixon was declared the winner by unanimous decision from all three judges, leaving Jadumani with a silver medal.
This bout was also special for India because Jadumani’s defeat shattered India’s hopes of a third consecutive gold medal in boxing. After three boxing finals, India had already won two gold and one silver.
He lost the final, but Jadumani’s journey was no less than a triumph.
For Jadumani Singh, this silver medal is more than just a medal. It’s a story of years of hard work, family support, and keeping his dream alive despite many difficulties. He performed brilliantly from the start in Glasgow. He defeated boxers from Scotland, Pakistan, Zambia, and Namibia to reach the final.
Earlier, he faced Pakistan’s Sumama Rahman in the round of 16. Jadumani won the bout 5-0 to advance to the next round. This victory came on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, and Jadumani dedicated it to the martyrs and heroes of the Kargil War. This further increased his popularity, but Australia’s Jai Dixon put an end to his hopes of a comeback in the final.
What did Jadumani Singh say after winning the silver medal?
On winning the silver medal, Jadumani Singh said, “It feels great. I am very happy to win the silver medal in my first Commonwealth Games. Although I didn’t get everything I wanted, I will work harder for the next competition and win the gold medal. Now I plan to go back and resume training camp. I will work on correcting the mistakes I made in this competition and improving. I want to dedicate this to my uncle, the BFI, SAI, and the entire India, including our team coaches and the Army Sports Institute (ASI), where I have been since childhood…”
Who is Jadumani Singh?
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam is originally from Iroishemba, near Imphal, Manipur. Besides making a name for himself in boxing, he is also a soldier in the Indian Army. He made sports a part of his life at a young age.
Interestingly, boxing wasn’t his first love. He never dreamed of becoming a boxer, but rather, he dreamed of becoming a great footballer. This was the turning point where Jadumani’s life story began to change.
As a child, Jadumani loved playing football. He wanted to become a footballer, but his family wanted him to focus on studies rather than sports.
As a result, Jadumani would often sneak away from his family to play football. He probably had no idea then that another sport would change the course of his life.
Jadumani Singh’s uncle introduced him to the boxing ring. This proved to be the biggest turning point in Jadumani’s life. As soon as he entered the ring, he saw a future in this sport. Gradually, his passion for football faded, and boxing became his life’s goal.
Training didn’t stop even during Manipur’s difficult times.
Jadumani’s journey isn’t just a story of changing sports. He continued his training even during a time when his home state, Manipur, was going through difficult times due to ethnic violence. In such an environment, it’s not easy for an athlete to consistently practice and stay focused on their goal. But their family didn’t abandon them. Despite the difficult circumstances, their training continued, and gradually, Jadumani began to establish a national identity. Today, winning silver for India at the Commonwealth Games is the result of that struggle.
Defeating Amit Panghal has already created a stir
Jadumani’s name had already been in the news in Indian boxing even before Glasgow. He won the gold medal in the 55 kg category at the Elite National Boxing Championships held in Greater Noida. In the semi-finals of this competition, he caused a major upset by defeating two-time Olympian and veteran Indian boxer Amit Panghal. This victory signaled that Jadumani could become a major name in Indian boxing in the future.
He has also demonstrated his strength in the World Boxing Cup
Jadumani has also proven his mettle at the international level. He won the silver medal in the 50 kg category in the final of the Delhi leg of the 2025 World Boxing Cup. He also won a bronze medal at the Brazilian edition. He made his presence felt internationally by winning the gold medal at the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in Czechia. Following these achievements, a silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games added another significant boost to his career.
Missing the gold, but the silver medal made his story even more special.
Jadumani Singh may not have won the gold medal in the final, but this defeat isn’t the end of his story. Rather, it’s a major milestone in a journey that began as a child who wanted to become a footballer and would sneak out to play football.