India’s athletes delivered memorable performances at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, with Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu scripting history, para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar earning India’s first para powerlifting medal of the Games, and boxer Jadumani Singh Mandengbam advancing to the quarterfinals with an emotional tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War.
Mirabai Chanu became one of India’s few athletes to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals after clinching the women’s 48kg weightlifting title. The Olympic medallist said the victory was especially emotional after overcoming injuries, stress and years of sacrifice.
“I am extremely happy and also very emotional. I made so many sacrifices and overcame stress and injuries to reach the Games and win a medal. I didn’t know I would set a Commonwealth record. I was only focused on completing the lift assigned by my coach,” Chanu said.
The 31-year-old set Commonwealth records in the snatch and total lift, giving India its first gold medal of the Glasgow Games. She added another milestone to a career that already includes an Olympic silver medal and a World Championship title.
Meanwhile, para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar secured bronze in the men’s heavyweight event, marking India’s first podium finish in para powerlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. While delighted to bring home India’s first medal of the Games, the 28-year-old admitted he was disappointed to miss out on gold.
“Thank you so much for all the love. It feels amazing. I secured the first medal for India and hoisted our national flag. It’s a great feeling. There is a tinge of disappointment that I couldn’t bring home the gold for the country. There are a few areas that need work, and I will focus on them. There was a minor technical error, and my coach was positioned a bit too far away, which caused the issue,” he said.
Jhandu recorded a best lift of 190kg to finish third after narrowly missing a 196kg attempt that would have broken the Commonwealth Games record.
In the boxing ring, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam defeated Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman 5-0 by unanimous decision to reach the men’s 55kg quarterfinals. The 22-year-old dedicated his victory to India’s Kargil War heroes, with the win coming on Kargil Vijay Diwas.
“I dedicate my win to the Kargil heroes. I felt great winning against Pakistan. I will perform even better in the quarterfinals and secure a Gold for India,” Jadumani said after the bout.
The Manipuri boxer will now fight for a place in the semifinals, with a quarterfinal victory guaranteeing him at least a bronze medal.
India also added silver medals through weightlifters Chanambam Rishikanta Singh (men’s 60kg) and Raja Muthupandi (men’s 65kg), continuing a strong start to its campaign in Glasgow.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
