PT Usha Encourages Indian Athletes Ahead of Commonwealth Games 2026
PT Usha's Confidence in Indian Athletes
The President of the Indian Olympic Association, PT Usha, expressed her admiration for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2026. She conveyed her optimism regarding the Indian team, urging athletes to concentrate on their events and strive for excellence. Usha emphasized the confidence of the athletes, predicting strong performances at the Games.
"Our athletes are brimming with confidence, and I anticipate they will excel. It’s crucial for them to focus on their individual events, trust in their abilities, and give their utmost effort. If they perform at their best, medals will follow naturally," she stated.
"The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games was outstanding. Even after it concluded, the athletes remained in the front rows, enjoying the entire program," Usha shared with the media.
India's Medal Achievement at CWG 2026
India has already secured its first medal at the Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze in powerlifting. Usha commended the athlete's performance, noting that he narrowly missed out on gold but still made the nation proud. "We have kicked off with a bronze in powerlifting. Although he just missed the gold, a medal is a medal, and he has made us proud," she remarked.
Usha also praised boxer Lovlina Borgohain for her performance and expressed her hope that Indian athletes would continue to shine in their respective competitions. "Lovlina also did well. I am confident they will all keep performing admirably," she added.
India's Medal Account at CWG 2026
In a notable achievement, India opened its medal tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games when Jhandu Kumar clinched bronze in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting final held in Glasgow. Jhandu successfully lifted 190kg, earning 130.9 points, although his attempt to lift 196kg, which could have set a new record from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, was unsuccessful.
In the men's lightweight category, Ashok finished in fourth place, while Paramjeet Kumar secured seventh. In the women's events, Jaspreet Kaur and Suman Devi placed sixth and seventh, respectively, while Kasthuri Rajamani was unable to register a valid lift.