CWG 2026: Sachin Siwach Reaches Boxing Round of 16 as Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh Stay Unbeaten

India enjoyed mixed fortunes on Day 3 of the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow as boxer Sachin Siwach progressed to the Round of 16, while lawn bowls pair Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh maintained their impressive unbeaten streak. However, Indian swimmers struggled to make an impact, and the women’s wheelchair basketball team suffered a heavy defeat.

Sachin Siwach Books Place in Round of 16

Bhiwani boxer Sachin Siwach produced a composed performance to defeat Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh by a 4-1 split decision in the men’s 60kg Round of 32 contest at the SEC Centre.

The Canadian started aggressively and looked sharper during the early exchanges. However, Siwach gradually settled into the contest and used his superior counter-punching ability to turn the bout in his favor.

His accurate combinations and defensive awareness helped him win crucial points across the first two rounds before successfully managing the final round to secure victory.

The win continued Siwach’s strong record against Al-Ahmadieh, whom he had previously beaten at the Boxam Tournament in Spain and the Boxing World Cup in Kazakhstan.

Siwach will now face England’s William Hewitt in the Round of 16 with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh Stay Unbeaten

India’s experienced lawn bowls duo of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh secured their third consecutive victory in the women’s pairs competition.

The Indian pair defeated Tonga’s Paris Baker and Milika Nathan after a dramatic tie-breaker in Section B.

Tonga started brightly and took an early lead before India recovered strongly to claim the opening set 5-2. The Tongan pair responded impressively, winning the second set 6-4 and forcing a tie-break.

When the pressure reached its highest point, Rupa and Pinki delivered. Rupa provided the crucial advantage before Pinki sealed the match, ensuring India remained unbeaten in the competition.

The victory strengthened India’s chances of reaching the semi-finals and kept them among the top contenders in the event.

Putul Sonowal Suffers First Defeat

While the women’s pairs team continued its winning momentum, Putul Sonowal experienced his first setback of the tournament.

After registering victories in his opening two matches, Sonowal lost 0-2 (4-8, 8-9) against Malaysia’s Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in the men’s singles Section D contest.

Despite the defeat, Sonowal remains in contention for qualification and will look to bounce back in his upcoming matches.

Swimming Disappointments Continue

India’s swimmers once again found it difficult to challenge the leading Commonwealth nations.

Dhakshan Shashikumar finished seventh in Heat 3 of the men’s 400m freestyle with a time of 3:58.09, while national record holder Aryan Nehra clocked 4:00.26 in Heat 4.

Both swimmers failed to qualify for the final, extending India’s struggles in the swimming pool.

Olympian Srihari Nataraj also missed out on a place in the men’s 50m backstroke final after finishing seventh in the semi-finals.

Karthik Budigina Narrowly Misses Para-Swimming Medal

India came agonizingly close to adding another medal through para-swimmer Karthik Budigina.

Competing in the men’s 100m freestyle S13 final, Budigina finished fourth, narrowly missing a place on the podium.

Although the result was disappointing, the performance demonstrated India’s growing competitiveness in para-swimming events.

Wheelchair Basketball Team Faces Tough Start

India’s women’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball team endured a difficult opening match, suffering a 16-1 defeat against Wales in Group B.

The Indian side struggled to match the pace and efficiency of their opponents throughout the contest.

They will now aim to recover quickly when they face Scotland and Nigeria in their next group-stage matches.

Positive News from Artistic Gymnastics

India received encouraging news in artistic gymnastics as Tapan Mohanty and Yogeshwar Singh qualified for the men’s all-around final.

Mohanty finished 17th with a score of 71.700, while Yogeshwar secured 18th place with 71.400 points.

India also finished seventh in the men’s team competition with a total score of 208.550 points.

India’s Commonwealth Games Campaign Continues

With boxing and lawn bowls producing positive results and artistic gymnasts reaching the all-around final, India continues to search for additional medals in Glasgow.

Sachin Siwach’s progress, combined with the impressive form of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh, has provided important momentum as the Indian contingent looks to build on Jhandu Kumar’s historic bronze medal-winning performance.

Conclusion

Day 3 of the Commonwealth Games 2026 delivered both highs and lows for India. Sachin Siwach advanced confidently in boxing, while Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh maintained their perfect record in lawn bowls. Although swimming and wheelchair basketball brought disappointment, India’s overall campaign remains on track with several medal opportunities still ahead in Glasgow.