India’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games received a significant boost after the country’s boxing contingent produced a dominant display at the prestigious 56th Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in Czechia, finishing with an impressive tally of 12 medals, including eight gold, three silver and one bronze. The outstanding performance underlined the depth and strength of Indian boxing across both the men’s and women’s divisions and reinforced the nation’s growing reputation on the international stage.
The tournament, one of Europe’s longest-running boxing events, attracted talented competitors from across the globe and served as a crucial testing ground for athletes preparing for major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year. For India, the results reflected months of preparation and the effectiveness of its high-performance programme.
Leading the charge was the women’s squad, which delivered a near-perfect campaign. The five-member team returned with four gold medals and one silver, showcasing remarkable consistency throughout the competition.
Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain once again demonstrated her class in the 75kg category. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist dominated Italy’s Melissa Gemini in the final, securing a convincing 5-0 victory to add another international title to her growing collection. Lovlina’s performance was particularly encouraging as she continues to build momentum ahead of the Commonwealth Games and future world-level competitions.
Reigning Asian champion Preeti Pawar continued her excellent form by clinching gold in the 54kg division. The young Indian boxer outboxed France’s Jeyssa Marcel in the final, earning a unanimous 5-0 verdict from the judges. Preeti has emerged as one of India’s most promising talents in recent years and once again proved why she is considered a strong medal prospect on the international circuit.
Sakshi Chaudhary added another gold medal to India’s tally after defeating France’s Mayssoun Bourega 5-0 in the 51kg final. Her sharp combinations and tactical discipline ensured she remained in control throughout the bout. Priya Ghanghas also delivered a commanding performance in the 60kg category. Competing against home favourite Barbora Maxova of Czechia, Priya handled the pressure of a partisan crowd with remarkable composure and secured a comprehensive victory to claim the title.
Parveen Hooda completed the women’s campaign with a silver medal in the 65kg division, ensuring every member of the women’s team returned home with a podium finish.
The men’s team matched the women’s success with four gold medals of their own. Jadumani Singh emerged victorious in the 55kg category after defeating England’s Abdul Burton 4-1 in a hard-fought final. Sachin showcased his superiority in the 60kg division with a dominant 5-0 win over Hungary’s Veres Rohland.
Ankush continued India’s golden run in the 80kg category, outclassing Czech Republic’s Florian Daniel by another unanimous 5-0 scoreline. Competing against a local favourite, Ankush remained composed and delivered one of the most convincing performances of the tournament.
The most dramatic final involving an Indian boxer came in the heavyweight category, where Narender edged Armenia’s Davit Chaloyan 3-2 in a closely contested bout. The narrow victory highlighted Narender’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure against elite opposition.
India’s medal tally was further strengthened by silver medals from Aditya Pratap Yadav in the 65kg category and Kapil Pokhariya in the 90kg division. Both boxers reached the finals but narrowly missed out on gold after competitive title bouts. Sumit Kundu added a bronze medal in the 70kg category to round off India’s campaign.
The success becomes even more significant considering the tournament’s importance in India’s road to Glasgow 2026. The Boxing Federation of India had identified the Usti nad Labem Grand Prix as a key benchmark event, offering athletes valuable exposure against strong European opposition and an opportunity to fine-tune preparations before a packed international calendar.
With eight gold medals and 12 podium finishes overall, India leaves Czechia with renewed confidence and proof that its boxers are capable of competing with the world’s best. As attention now turns to the Commonwealth Games and other major championships, the performances in Usti nad Labem have provided a strong indication that Indian boxing remains on an upward trajectory and could be poised for another successful year on the global stage.
