Indian Army Athletes Shine at Commonwealth Games 2026 with 16 Medals
Celebrating Army Athletes' Achievements
General Dhiraj Seth, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), recently met with Indian Army athletes who excelled at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Glasgow. The athletes collectively secured 16 medals, comprising eight Gold, seven Silver, and one Bronze. The COAS praised their remarkable achievements and their vital role in enhancing India's overall performance at the Games.
Significant Contributions from the Army
Fifteen athletes from the Indian Army played a crucial role in winning 16 out of India's total 39 medals at the Glasgow 2026 event. This included eight of the 13 Gold medals earned by the country, showcasing the Army's substantial impact on India's sporting success. The medals were won in various disciplines such as boxing, athletics, para-athletics, judo, and weightlifting.
Gold Medal Winners
The Gold medalists from the Indian Army included:
1. Havildar Harsh Singh - Men's 60 kg Judo
2. Naib Subedar Preeti - Women's 54 kg Boxing
3. Naib Subedar Jaismine Lamboria - Women's 57 kg Boxing
4. Subedar Soman Rana - Men's Para Shot Put F57
5. Havildar Sakshi - Women's 51 kg Boxing
6. Havildar Arundhati Choudhary - Women's 70 kg Boxing
7. Havildar Sachin Siwach - Men's 60 kg Boxing
8. Havildar Ankush Panghal - Men's 80 kg Boxing.
Silver and Bronze Medal Achievements
The Army's medal tally was further enhanced by:
1. Naib Subedar Sarvesh Kushare - Silver in Men's High Jump
2. Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh - Silver in Men's 10,000 metres and Bronze in Men's 5,000 metres.
3. Havildar Valluri Ajaya Babu - Silver in Weightlifting.
4. Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) Neeraj Chopra - Silver in Men's Javelin Throw.
5. Havildar Jadumani Singh - Silver in Boxing.
6. Lance Naik Shubham Juyal - Silver in Men's Para Shot Put.
7. Subedar Narender Berwal - Silver in Men's 90+ kg Boxing.
Historic Achievements and Notable Performances
The boxing events were particularly impressive, with Army athletes securing six Gold and two Silver medals. Havildar Harsh Singh made history by becoming the first Indian male judoka to win a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Additionally, Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh distinguished himself as the first Indian track and field athlete to earn two individual medals in a single Commonwealth Games.
COAS Acknowledges Athletes' Dedication
During the meeting, the COAS commended the athletes for their commitment, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence. He emphasized the significance of sporting success as a core aspect of the Army's values and encouraged them to aim for even greater accomplishments in future international competitions.
Commitment to Sporting Excellence
The achievements at Glasgow highlight the Indian Army's ongoing dedication to nurturing sporting talent, offering specialized training, and fostering an environment conducive to high-level competition. Army athletes have consistently represented India at prestigious events such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Later, the medal-winning athletes had the opportunity to meet with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who acknowledged their contributions to the nation's success at Glasgow and the pride they brought to both the Indian Army and the country.
The performance of Army athletes at the Commonwealth Games 2026 reinforces the Indian Army's unwavering commitment to sporting excellence and its role in establishing India as a competitive force in the global sports arena.