Glasgow: India's campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 gathered significant momentum as the contingent crossed the 10-medal mark with a string of impressive performances in athletics, para-athletics and weightlifting. After a relatively slow start to the Games, Indian athletes produced their strongest showing yet, reinforcing the country's reputation as one of the Commonwealth's leading sporting nations.

As of Day 5, India had secured 10 medals – two gold, five silver and three bronze – climbing the overall medal standings and setting the stage for a promising second half of the competition. While traditional strengths such as weightlifting continued to deliver, the emergence of medal-winning performances in athletics and para-athletics added further depth to India's campaign.

Historic Golds Boost India's Campaign

India's gold medal tally was headlined by Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, who once again demonstrated her dominance on the Commonwealth stage by winning the women's 48kg weightlifting title. Her victory not only opened India's gold account but also reaffirmed her status as one of the country's most dependable international performers.

Joining Mirabai on the top step of the podium was Sharmila Dhankar, who scripted history by clinching gold in the women's F57 shot put event in para-athletics. Her triumph marked one of India's standout moments of the Games, highlighting the growing strength of the country's para-sport programme and adding another memorable chapter to India's Commonwealth journey.

Weightlifting Continues to Deliver

Weightlifting once again proved to be India's most productive discipline. Apart from Mirabai Chanu's gold, several lifters finished on the podium to contribute significantly to the medal haul.

Rishikanta Singh claimed silver in the men's 60kg category, while Raja Muthupandi followed with another silver in the men's 65kg event. On Day 5, Valluri Ajaya Babu added yet another silver after an intense contest in the men's 79kg competition, where he battled through a record-breaking duel before settling for second place.

India also celebrated bronze medals through Bindyarani Devi and Jhandu Kumar, underlining the country's remarkable consistency in strength sports across both able-bodied and para competitions.

Athletics Delivers Memorable Moments

Athletics emerged as another bright spot for India in Glasgow.

High jumper Sarvesh Kushare produced one of the performances of the Games by securing a silver medal in the men's high jump. His podium finish was particularly significant, as India has rarely featured among the medal contenders in the event at the Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, Gyaneshwari Yadav also earned silver with a strong display, further strengthening India's athletics campaign. Bronze medals from Shilpa K. Shyla added to the team's impressive showing on the track and field arena.

The performances reflected India's improving standards in athletics, an area that has steadily gained prominence following consistent international success over the past few years.

India's Medal Winners So Far

India's medal winners at the Commonwealth Games 2026 include:

Gold

• Mirabai Chanu – Women's 48kg Weightlifting

• Sharmila Dhankar – Women's Shot Put F57 (Para Athletics)

Silver

• Rishikanta Singh – Men's 60kg Weightlifting

• Raja Muthupandi – Men's 65kg Weightlifting

• Valluri Ajaya Babu – Men's 79kg Weightlifting

• Sarvesh Kushare – Men's High Jump

• Gyaneshwari Yadav – Athletics

Bronze

• Jhandu Kumar – Para Powerlifting

• Bindyarani Devi – Weightlifting

• Shilpa K. Shyla – Athletics

India Climbs the Medal Standings

The six-medal haul on Day 5 proved to be India's best single-day performance of the Games so far. The strong showing propelled the nation into the top half of the medal standings, overtaking several competitors and reviving hopes of another successful Commonwealth campaign.

Australia and England continued to dominate the overall medal table, but India's steady rise reflected the growing momentum within the contingent. With several medal events still to come in boxing, athletics, weightlifting and other disciplines, the Indian team remains well placed to substantially improve its tally before the Games conclude.

A Different Commonwealth Games

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are being contested in a streamlined format featuring only ten sports, significantly fewer than previous editions. Despite the reduced programme, the Games have placed greater emphasis on inclusivity by featuring the largest-ever number of para-sport medal events in Commonwealth Games history.

For India, whose traditional strengths include wrestling, badminton, table tennis and shooting—sports absent from this edition—the challenge has been adapting to a revised sporting programme while continuing to remain competitive.

That makes the achievements in athletics, para-athletics and weightlifting even more significant, as Indian athletes have stepped up in disciplines that have assumed greater importance in the reduced schedule.

Momentum Building Ahead of Crucial Days

With several days of competition still remaining, Indian athletes will look to carry forward the momentum generated by their recent medal-winning performances. The contingent has already demonstrated resilience after a measured start, and confidence within the camp appears to be growing.

The performances of experienced stars like Mirabai Chanu, coupled with breakthrough achievements from emerging athletes such as Sharmila Dhankar, Sarvesh Kushare and Valluri Ajaya Babu, underline the depth of India's current sporting ecosystem.

As Glasgow enters its decisive phase, India's immediate objective will be to convert promising performances into more gold medals while maintaining consistency across disciplines. If the recent surge continues, the country could finish with a considerably stronger medal tally than its early position suggested, ensuring another memorable chapter in its rich Commonwealth Games history.

With input from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

© Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Vygr Media.