Commonwealth Games 2026: Team England equals medal record with 10 guaranteed podium finishes
July 30, 2026 | by Chris Boyd
Team England matched its best-ever Commonwealth Games boxing performance on the final day of the quarter-finals, recording four victories from five bouts to guarantee a remarkable 10 medals at Glasgow 2026.
The achievement equals England’s record medal haul from a single Commonwealth Games, achieved at the 1986 Games, with four boxers progressing to Friday’s semi-finals alongside the six who had already secured podium places.
Ruby White set the tone for another memorable evening, producing a commanding display against Uganda’s Angel Katushabe in the opening bout of the session.
The reigning U19 World Champion was quicker, sharper and more accurate throughout, controlling the contest from the opening bell to claim a unanimous decision victory, secure at least a bronze medal and extend her unbeaten run to 70 consecutive victories.
White was already looking ahead to the semi-finals: “I couldn’t wait to get in the ring, and I can’t wait now to get back in the ring on Friday.
“To win this event, even with bronze but especially with gold to win this tournament, I think it’s going to prove to people that no matter, I know I’ve won a lot as a youth and junior, but I’m meant to be on these big stages and I’ve progressed up the levels up to an elite, and I deserve to be here.”
Elise Glynn was next in action, facing one of the toughest assignments of the evening against reigning world champion Jaismine Jaismine of India.
The two produced a closely contested opening round, with Glynn edging many of the exchanges despite trailing 3-2 on the judges’ scorecards. The contest remained finely balanced throughout, but after three competitive rounds the decision went the Indian’s way by a 4-1 split verdict.
Paris 2024 Olympian Chantelle Reid quickly restored England’s momentum with an accomplished performance against Northern Ireland’s Jansseen Hill.
Making her long-awaited tournament debut after receiving a bye into the quarter-finals, the Kode Red boxer used her superior speed and power to control proceedings and secure a unanimous decision victory. Reid was pleased to finally get her campaign underway: “It’s been about a week now I’ve had to wait, but it felt good to get in the ring and get the first one done.
“The ring rust has come off now, but the job’s not done yet so we go again on Friday.”
Oladimeji Shittu then continued Team England’s impressive run, overcoming Kenya’s Robert Okaka in the men’s under 80kg division.
Facing an opponent with a similar reach and style, the Five Star ABC boxer grew into the contest, settling into his rhythm before producing a composed display to earn a unanimous decision and guarantee himself a Commonwealth Games medal. Afterwards, Shittu said: “I feel amazing. Commonwealth medal secured. Friday, we go again and God willing, we change that colour.
“He was awkward. He had long arms like me, and he was throwing weird shots from weird angles, but I stuck to the game plan, kept my hands nice and high.
“Once I got comfy with my rhythm, I put on a show, and that’s what I love to do.”
Super-heavyweight Damar Thomas rounded off the evening as he faced Uganda’s Aziz Abdul for a place in the last four. The bout proved to be an awkward affair, with repeated fouls disrupting the action before Abdul was eventually disqualified in the third round for persistent headbutts, sending Thomas through to the semi-finals.
Despite booking his place on the podium, Thomas admitted he was already focused on improving his performance: “I’ve got the job done. Not got a lot of words on that. Not how I wanted to, but the job’s done.
“I can’t go back to the past and change how I just boxed then, but I can change how I box on Friday and looking forward to Friday now.”
Thursday, 30th Schedule:
No boxing.
Friday, 31st Schedule:
Women’s, U54kg Semi-Final: Lauren Mackie vs Scarlett Delgado (Canada) – 10.30am
Women’s, U65kg Semi-Final: Sacha Hickey vs Eve Bryson (Australia) – 11.15am
Men’s, U65kg Semi-Final: Patris Mughalzai vs Emmanuel Katema (Zambia) – 11.45am
Men’s, U80kg Semi-Final: Dimeji Shittu vs Paul Trainor (Australia) – 12.15pm
Women’s, U70kg Semi-Final: Lekeisha Pergoliti (Australia) vs Chantelle Reid – 3.15pm
Men’s, U90kg Semi-Final: Isaac Okoh vs Robert McNulty (Scotland) – 4.45pm
Women’s, U51kg Semi-Final: Ruby White vs Mischa Araes (Namibia) – 7.15pm
Women’s, U60kg Semi-Final: Priya Priya (India) vs Lucy Kings-Wheatley – 7.45pm
Women’s, U75kg Semi-Final: Emma-Sue Greentree (Australia) vs Mary Kate Smith – 8pm
Men’s, 90+kg Semi-Final: William John McCartan (Northern Ireland) vs Damar Thomas – 9.15pm
Keep up to date with everything Team England boxing-related at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games by visiting our dedicated webpage here.
