Glasgow: Sachin Siwach advances to 60kg pre-quarterfinals at Commonwealth Games

By Arjun Nair / 25.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 25 July 2026 — 4 min read

Siwach Secures Victory in Opening Bout

Indian boxer Sachin Siwach has advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the men’s 60kg event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Siwach secured a 4-1 split decision victory against Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh in a closely contested opening-round bout held at the Scottish Event Campus on Saturday. This win marks a significant step for the 26-year-old, who is a former Commonwealth Youth Games champion.

The contest began with a high tempo, as both southpaws exchanged punches in the centre of the ring. Siwach demonstrated sharper timing and cleaner connections, which proved decisive in the opening round, earning him a narrow edge as three of the five judges scored it 10-9 in his favour. This early advantage was crucial in setting the tone for the remainder of the match.

Al-Ahmadieh, who previously won bronze in the 57kg category at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, responded with increased aggression in the second round, attempting to control the pace. However, Siwach maintained his composure and effectively used well-timed counter-attacks, leading all five judges to award him the second round. His tactical discipline helped him build a crucial cushion on the scorecards.

Strategic Performance and Upcoming Challenge

In the final three minutes, the Canadian boxer came out on the offensive, needing a strong finish to stay in the competition. With a healthy advantage already established on the scorecards, Siwach adopted a measured approach, focusing on controlling the tempo and avoiding unnecessary risks. Although three judges gave the closing round to Al-Ahmadieh, the Indian boxer had already accumulated enough points to secure the victory via a split decision.

This hard-fought win sends Sachin Siwach into a challenging pre-quarterfinal match against England’s Will Hewitt. Hewitt gained attention for upsetting Paris Olympic silver medallist Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu at last year’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool. The upcoming clash against Hewitt is scheduled for Monday.

Siwach’s victory makes him the second Indian boxer to progress at the Glasgow Games. Earlier, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam secured a comfortable win in the men’s 55kg round of 32 on Friday. India has sent a 14-member boxing squad to the Commonwealth Games, comprising seven men and seven women competing across various weight categories.

In other developments, Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain has already secured at least a bronze medal. She received a direct entry into the semi-finals, and under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, both losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals, guaranteeing India an early place on the podium. Siwach expressed confidence, noting he had previously defeated Al-Ahmadieh twice, at the Boxam Tournament in Spain and the World Cup in Kazakhstan.

The match against Al-Ahmadieh was not straightforward despite previous encounters. Siwach made a slow start, missing an attempted right hook, while Al-Ahmadieh connected with a right jab. The Canadian appeared sharper in the initial exchanges, pushing Siwach onto the back foot. However, Siwach gradually found his rhythm, using crisp counter-punching with both hands to regain control. His accuracy towards the end of the first round helped him edge it 3-2, with three judges scoring it 10-9 in his favour.

Al-Ahmadieh, trailing after the first round, came out aggressively in the second, attempting to dictate the pace from the centre of the ring. Siwach, however, remained composed, employing nimble footwork to evade the Canadian’s attacks and consistently landing swift counter combinations. This tactical discipline earned him a unanimous 10-9 verdict from all five judges in that round, providing a crucial advantage on the scorecards. The Canadian mounted another spirited challenge in the final round, but Siwach absorbed the pressure and landed enough scoring blows to secure the 4-1 split decision win and advance to the pre-quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, on Day 3 of the Commonwealth Games 2026, Sonowal Putul faced a loss against Malaysia’s Dzulkeple in the first set. India’s athletes are continuing to compete across various events, with gymnasts also in action. In gymnastics, Nishika began on the uneven bars, scoring 9.350 in the team effort. India’s gymnasts scored 36.65 on vault, with Prathistha Samanta achieving 12.950 and 13.025, and Pranati Nayak scoring 12.575, moving India to fourth place at that point. Eshitaa Rewale also contributed with 11.75 on vault. In lawn bowls, Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple of Malaysia secured a 2-0 victory in sets against Putul Sonowal, with set scores of 8-4 and 9-8.

The next match for Sachin Siwach against England’s Will Hewitt is scheduled for Monday.

Source: telanganatoday.com