Harjinder Kaur Wins Silver in Women's Weightlifting at Commonwealth Games 2026

In a remarkable display of strength, Harjinder Kaur has won a silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026. With a total lift of 227kg, she showcased her skills against tough competition, including gold medalist Charlotte Simoneau from Canada. This achievement adds to India's impressive medal tally in weightlifting, highlighting the country's prowess in the sport. Harjinder's journey from humble beginnings to the podium is an inspiring story of resilience and determination. Discover more about her incredible performance and the challenges she overcame to reach this milestone.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 29, 2026, 12:39 IST

Harjinder Kaur Shines at Commonwealth Games

File image of Harjinder Kaur(Photo: @BadmintonMedia1/X)

Glasgow, July 28: Harjinder Kaur from India has added a silver medal to the nation's achievements at the Commonwealth Games 2026, securing her place in the women's 69kg weightlifting event on Tuesday.

She achieved a total lift of 227kg, starting with a successful 101kg in the snatch and finishing with a personal best of 126kg in the clean and jerk.

The gold medal was won by Charlotte Simoneau of Canada, who lifted a total of 240kg (108kg in snatch and 132kg in clean and jerk), while Australia's Nya Phebe Hayman took home the bronze with a total of 218kg.

Harjinder maintained her position in the medal race throughout the event, clinching second place with her final clean and jerk lift of 126kg, contributing to India's podium success in Glasgow.

This silver medal enhances India's reputation in weightlifting, a sport where the country has consistently excelled at the Commonwealth Games. Harjinder's steady performance under pressure showcased India's strength in this discipline.

With this achievement, India has now secured seven medals in weightlifting, comprising one gold, five silvers, and one bronze. Mirabai Chanu previously won gold in the women's 49 kg category, while Rishikanta Singh Chanambam, Raja Muthupandi, Valluri Ajaya Babu, Gyaneshwari Yadav, and Harjinder Kaur have all earned silver medals. Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam has claimed the only bronze medal so far.

Born on October 14, 1996, in a humble farming family in Mehas village near Nabha, Punjab, Harjinder grew up in a one-room house and faced significant financial challenges, with her father struggling to cover her training costs.

Despite these obstacles, her rural background contributed to her athletic prowess. She spent hours operating a heavy chaff-cutting machine, which inadvertently developed her upper-body strength, a crucial advantage in weightlifting.

Her journey into sports began unexpectedly; initially, she was a dedicated Kabaddi player, training as a raider and cycling five kilometers daily for practice. It wasn't until 2016, at the age of 20, that her life took a turn at Punjabi University in Patiala.