Eam Zambia boxers advance with 3 victories in Glasgow Games

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – Team Zambia’s boxing contingent has delivered an emphatic statement at the ongoing Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with three of its pugilists securing impressive victories on Sunday. Catherine Mwape, Mwengo Mwale, and Emmanuel Katema each triumphed in their respective bouts, advancing to the next stages of the competition and igniting hopes for medal glory for the Southern African nation. This early success underscores Zambia's enduring strength in boxing, a sport that has historically been a significant source of national pride and Commonwealth Games medals. Catherine Mwape, competing in the women's bantamweight (54kg) division, marked her Commonwealth Games debut with a decisive win, demonstrating skill and determination in the ring. Her performance is particularly noteworthy as she later made history by becoming the first female Zambian boxer to win a medal at either the Commonwealth or Olympic Games, securing a bronze. Mwengo Mwale, a seasoned campaigner and a silver medalist at the 2024 All Africa Games, also showcased his pedigree in the men's bantamweight (54kg) category, navigating his way past his opponent to progress. Emmanuel Katema, another formidable talent, completed the trio of victories for Zambia, advancing in the men's 65kg division. Katema also went on to secure a bronze medal, further solidifying Zambia's strong showing in boxing. These victories are not isolated incidents but rather a continuation of Zambia's rich boxing heritage at the Commonwealth Games. The nation has consistently relied on its boxers to deliver podium finishes, with a history stretching back to Julius Luipa's silver in 1970 and Lottie Mwale's gold in 1974. More recently, Stephen Zimba and Patrick Chinyemba secured silver and bronze respectively at the Birmingham 2022 Games, maintaining the tradition. The performances in Glasgow highlight the dedication of the athletes and their coaches, who have meticulously prepared for this international stage, ofte