Jasmine Daunakamakama Assures Fiji of Commonwealth Boxing Medal

Fiji's Jasmine Daunakamakama made history at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after becoming the first Fijian woman to guarantee a boxing medal at the Games, defeating Sri Lanka's Keshani Hansika in an emotional women's 57kg quarter-final.

Daunakamakama secured a hard-fought split-decision victory over the experienced Hansika, ensuring at least a bronze medal and marking another landmark moment in Fiji's sporting history. The emotional significance of the achievement was evident moments after the final bell, as Daunakamakama broke down in tears while celebrating with her team, overwhelmed by the realization that a lifelong dream had become reality.

"Every step I take, my dream becomes more real. It's quite overwhelming," she said after the bout. "I've dreamed about this since I was 10. My younger self would be so proud." The victory was made even more remarkable considering Daunakamakama has only been boxing for three years. Her triumph came against a vastly experienced opponent who has competed in more than 100 bouts.

Her coach, Cameron Todd, was full of praise for his boxer, describing the performance as extraordinary. "I'm super-proud of her," Todd said, highlighting the incredible progress she has made in such a short time in the sport.

The result also carried a sense of déjà vu for Todd. Eight years earlier, at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, his former wife, Alex Pritchard of New Zealand, also defeated Hansika in a quarter-final. For Daunakamakama, however, the journey to the podium has been anything but straightforward. 

Last year, she missed the World Championships after controversial gender test results involving several athletes arrived too late for her to compete. Despite that setback, she remained determined, using the disappointment as motivation on her road to Glasgow.

"It's pretty wild," she reflected. "I didn't want to aim for superficial goals. This whole journey has been driven from my internal state and how truthful I can be when I step into the ring, how well I can perform. "To even have a medal is just a bonus. It's incredible, having so much growth." The Glasgow crowd roared in support throughout the contest, with Daunakamakama acknowledging the people who have stood by her throughout her journey.

"It wouldn't be possible without my loved ones and my boxing family, my friends all around the Pacific, all around the world," she said. Now guaranteed at least a bronze medal, Daunakamakama will head into the semi-finals with the opportunity to upgrade her historic achievement and continue writing her name into Fiji's Commonwealth Games history.