Indian Weightlifters Celebrate Silver Medals and Set Future Goals

Indian weightlifters Valluri Ajaya Babu and Muthupandi Raja returned to Delhi after winning silver medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Both athletes expressed their satisfaction with their performances while setting ambitious goals for future competitions, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Other medalists, such as Harjinder Kaur and Bindyarani Devi, also shared their joy and aspirations for improvement. India's weightlifting team showcased remarkable talent, securing multiple medals across various categories, highlighting the nation's growing prowess in the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 2, 2026, 14:37 IST

Silver Medallists Look Ahead

Valluri Ajaya Babu and Muthupandi Raja, Indian weightlifters who recently returned to Delhi, shared their experiences after winning silver medals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. Ajaya Babu, who competed in the men's 79kg category, expressed satisfaction with his performance, despite narrowly missing gold by just one kilogram. He stated, "I feel accomplished with my performance at the Commonwealth Games. Although it's disappointing to miss gold by a single kilogram, I am determined to improve next time." He also mentioned his aspirations to qualify for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, saying, "I will focus on preparing for these upcoming events."

Muthupandi Raja's First Medal

Muthupandi Raja, who earned silver in the men's 65kg event, described his achievement as a significant milestone, marking his first medal. He remarked, "Winning silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games feels fantastic. I aimed for gold and was a bit let down by my performance, but I am still thrilled to have won my first medal." Raja expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received upon returning from Glasgow, noting that the support from fans was inspiring. He plans to collaborate with his coach to prepare for the qualification rounds for the 2028 Olympics, stating, "Seeing everyone here to welcome us is wonderful; it motivates us greatly. We will strategize with our coach to start our preparations for the Olympic qualifiers."

Celebrating Other Achievements

Harjinder Kaur, who secured silver in the women's 69kg category, shared her joy, saying, "I feel great. I won bronze last time, and now I've improved to silver. My training has enhanced, and I hope to perform even better in future competitions."

Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam, who won bronze in the women's 58kg category, expressed her happiness at the warm welcome, stating, "I am thrilled to see everyone here. I aim to improve in upcoming competitions."

India's Weightlifting Success

India's weightlifting team had a remarkable performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026, with notable medalists including Mirabai Chanu, who clinched gold in the women's 48kg category. Gyaneshwari Yadav and Harjinder Kaur earned silver in the women's 53kg and 69kg categories, respectively. Additionally, Rishikanta Singh, Muthupandi Raja, Valluri Ajaya Babu, and Lovepreet Singh secured silver medals in the men's 60kg, 65kg, 79kg, and +110kg categories. Bindyarani Devi contributed a bronze medal in the women's 58kg category.