CWG 2026 boxing: Coach Belwal's 'score, move' plan earns Jadumani a bronze berth
Synopsis
India's boxing coach Hari Kishan Belwal isn't just preparing fighters — he's preparing them specifically to outfox the judges. His 'score, move' blueprint for Jadumani Singh's 55kg quarterfinal win at CWG 2026 was as much about eliminating judging ambiguity as it was about beating the Zambian opponent. The candid admission raises pointed questions about scoring transparency at Glasgow.
Key Takeaways
Mandengbam Jadumani Singh defeated Mwale Mwengo of Zambia in the men's 55kg quarterfinals at CWG 2026 , securing at least a bronze medal for India.
Coach Hari Kishan Belwal said India's strategy is now designed to 'leave no room for doubt in the judges' decision' amid concerns over close-bout judging.
The team deployed a strict 'score, move, score, move' gameplan after analysing Mwengo's tendency to throw sustained combination punches.
India's target was to win the first round 5–0 to build a psychological and scoreboard lead early.
Belwal alleged that in close bouts, judges have tended to rule against Indian boxers, making dominant wins a tactical necessity.
India boxing coach Hari Kishan Belwal has raised concerns over judging standards at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, saying close bouts have repeatedly worked against Indian boxers — and that the team's tactical approach is now explicitly designed to eliminate any margin for disputed decisions.
Jadumani Secures Bronze, Advances to Semis
Mandengbam Jadumani Singh booked at least a bronze medal for India after defeating Mwale Mwengo of Zambia in the men's 55kg quarterfinals on 29 July. The victory moves Jadumani one step closer to a gold medal and strengthens India's overall boxing campaign at the Games.
Coach Belwal on the Judging Concern
'Even the slightest margin has been proving costly here. That's why I told Jadumani to go for complete dominance so there would be no room for doubt in the judges' decision,' Belwal said after the quarterfinal win.
He elaborated on what he sees as a pattern in close contests: 'Then they know that India has already improved a lot in boxing. So wherever we have a close contest bout, they think of taking it. Because if it's a one-sided bout, they can't do it. Where it's a close bout, they try to take it away,' he added.
The 'Score, Move' Strategy Explained
Belwal revealed that the coaching staff had done detailed pre-bout analysis of Mwengo, noting his tendency to throw sustained combination punches. The antidote was a disciplined 'score, move, score, move' gameplan designed to deny the Zambian a stationary target.
'When we saw his previous bout, he threw round-continuous punches. So we had planned that we will not stand in front of him. If we stand, he will throw a punch. So score, move, score, move. This was our strategy,' Belwal explained.
Round-by-Round Targeting
The coaching plan was built around securing an early psychological and scoreboard advantage. 'Our main target was to win the first round 5–0. After that, we planned to brief them for the next round. Regardless of our overall goal, our focus was to take the first round 5–0. We thought that securing a 5–0 win right away would allow us to take the next round 5–0 as well, leaving us mentally relaxed, just as we enjoyed the final round,' Belwal said.
India's Boxing Campaign at CWG 2026
Jadumani's quarterfinal win adds to India's growing medal tally in boxing at Glasgow 2026. With at least one bronze already confirmed, the coaching staff will now shift focus to the semifinal, where another dominant performance will be essential — both for medal prospects and to avoid the judging controversies that Belwal has flagged throughout the tournament.
Point of View
It signals a deeper credibility problem with CWG boxing's scoring apparatus. India's boxing programme has matured considerably, yet the coaching staff still feels compelled to build a 'no-doubt' margin into every bout. That is not a compliment to the sport's governance at these Games. Whether Belwal's concerns prompt any formal review from the Commonwealth Games Federation remains to be seen.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mandengbam Jadumani Singh and what did he achieve at CWG 2026?
Mandengbam Jadumani Singh is an Indian boxer competing in the men's 55kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He secured at least a bronze medal after defeating Zambia's Mwale Mwengo in the quarterfinals on 29 July.
What is the 'score, move' strategy used by India's boxing team?
The 'score, move' strategy, as explained by coach Hari Kishan Belwal, involves landing a punch and immediately moving away to avoid counter-attacks. It was specifically designed against Mwengo, who was known for throwing sustained combination punches, to deny him a stationary target.
Why did coach Belwal raise concerns about judging at CWG 2026?
Belwal said that in close bouts, Indian boxers have repeatedly been on the losing end of judges' decisions at the Commonwealth Games 2026. He stated that this pattern has led the coaching staff to instruct boxers to pursue dominant victories to eliminate any margin for disputed rulings.
What was India's round-by-round target in the 55kg quarterfinal?
According to coach Belwal, the primary target was to win the first round 5–0, with the belief that an early dominant lead would allow the team to replicate the same performance in subsequent rounds and keep the boxer mentally relaxed through the final round.
What is next for Jadumani Singh at CWG 2026?
Having won his quarterfinal, Jadumani Singh advances to the semifinal in the men's 55kg category at Glasgow 2026. A win there would guarantee a silver medal, with a gold medal bout to follow.
