Indian Weightlifting Team Shines at Commonwealth Games 2026
Reflecting on Performance
In a recent statement, Vijay Sharma, the head coach of the Indian weightlifting team, shared insights on their performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026. He acknowledged that while there was room for improvement, the overall results were commendable, bolstered by exceptional government support.
The Indian weightlifting squad achieved a remarkable total of eight medals at the CWG 2026, which included one gold, six silvers, and one bronze. A standout moment was Mirabai Chanu's victory in the women's 48 kg category, marking her third consecutive Commonwealth gold.
Gyaneshwari Yadav made headlines by setting a national record in the women's 53 kg category, lifting a combined total of 199 kg, which earned her a silver medal. Lovepreet Singh also made waves with a national record in the +110 kg snatch lift, securing another silver.
Additional silver medals were claimed by Rishikanta Singh (men's 60 kg), Muthupandi Raja (men's 65 kg), Ajaya Babu (men's 79 kg), and Harjinder Kaur (women's 69 kg), while Bindyarani Devi added a bronze in the women's 58 kg category.
In an interview, Coach Vijay expressed pride in the team's dedication and emphasized the importance of continued hard work. He noted that athletes who did not medal are now more motivated to succeed in future competitions.
"Our athletes have brought home 1 gold, 6 silver, and 1 bronze medal. They dedicated the past year to qualifying for the Commonwealth Games, participating in two qualifying events, and training rigorously. While we could have performed slightly better, the overall outcome was excellent. The athletes must maintain their hard work. Those who returned without medals are now more determined to improve and aim for better results in future events," he stated.
Vijay also highlighted the positive meeting with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, which invigorated both him and the athletes for upcoming challenges.
He praised the unprecedented level of government support, noting that no previous administration had provided such assistance. The team benefited from a 25-day training camp in Birmingham prior to the CWG, which helped them acclimatize. With eight out of eleven medals secured, the team is poised for success in future competitions.