Ghana's medal hopes in the men's 80kg boxing competition at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games have suffered a setback after boxer Desmond Pappoe was officially withdrawn from the tournament due to a shoulder injury.
The Commonwealth Sports Ghana (CSG) announced on Wednesday that Pappoe had been declared medically unfit to compete following a comprehensive assessment by Team Ghana's medical personnel.
According to the official statement, the decision to withdraw the boxer was reached after consultations involving the medical team, coaches and Games officials, with priority given to the athlete's health and long-term wellbeing.
Pappoe had been preparing to face Canada's Joshua Ofori in the quarter-finals and was reported to be in excellent condition and highly motivated before sustaining the injury. His withdrawal ends his Glasgow 2026 campaign and is regarded as a major disappointment for the boxer, Ghana's boxing team and the wider Team Ghana delegation.
Despite the setback, CSG praised Pappoe's commitment throughout the qualification process and preparations for the Games, expressing confidence that he will make a full recovery and return to represent Ghana at future international competitions.
The Association also commended Team Ghana's medical staff for their professionalism and swift response in managing the injury, stressing that athlete welfare remains the foremost priority.
While wishing Pappoe a speedy recovery, the CSG reaffirmed that Team Ghana remains focused on delivering strong performances across the remaining events at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, as the nation's athletes continue their pursuit of medals in Scotland.
