Amadu Mohammed has become Ghana’s last man standing in boxing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after suffering a split decision defeat to Australia’s Jye Dixon in the men’s bantamweight semi final in Glasgow.
The 21 year old entered the bout already assured of at least a bronze medal after reaching the last four of the 55 kg division, and remains the only Ghanaian boxer still in contention in Glasgow following the elimination of the rest of the nine teammates at the end of the quarter finals last Wednesday evening.
Mohammed, the Accra 2023 African Games gold medal winner, was visibly emotional after the result as he reflected on falling short of the final.
“The best, I don’t have anything to say but I’m not happy, this is not what I expect. Do our best, but it’s not the target, so this is not what I expect,” he said. “I beg every Ghanaian who believes in me that I’ve been good and I’ve won it, but I’m not happy about it. All the same I give glory and I should go there.”
He urged fans to stay behind the team despite the disappointment. “So I beg each and every one who is supporting me that they shouldn’t give up. Keep supporting. We’ll surely be what they want. It’s not today, it’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but one day we’ll surely bring it home. Thank you.”
Mohammed acknowledged his performance was not perfect but said he gave everything. “With all my weakness, I do my best that I can do my possible best to bring the win. And you all are watching, so I’m not really anything to say. It’s just good going to go and move on.”
The boxer also thanked the support structure around the team and said he will return to work with his coaches. “I’d just like to say thanks, I do want to take credit and glory to the name. I’m begging at the time, I’m not sure I’ll go back with Coach Asare and work on my mistakes. And my coach, Coach Quaye, I know he’s disappointed. I’m begging to have patience.”
Mohammed’s bronze keeps Ghana’s boxing medal hopes alive in Glasgow and puts him in line to end the country’s long wait for Commonwealth Games gold in the sport. Ghana last won gold in boxing at the Games through Raymond Narh at the 1998 edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a 28 year gap the team had hoped to close this year.
The bantamweight final will now proceed without a Ghanaian representative, but Mohammed will leave Glasgow with a medal to his name and the chance to build on the result in future tournaments.
By: Prince Obiba Ayim Brown – Glasgow, Scotland
