India’s Weightlifting and Athletics Performances
In the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, India saw mixed results across various disciplines. Weightlifter Nirupama Devi Seram competed in the Women’s 63kg final but did not register a total mark after failing to complete a successful clean and jerk lift. Meanwhile, Vishal TK advanced to the semifinals in the 400m event.
Nirupama Devi Seram began her competition in the snatch round, where she successfully lifted 93kg on her second attempt. She had initially failed her opening attempt at 93kg. Her third attempt at 95kg was also unsuccessful, leaving her with 93kg as her best snatch mark. After the snatch round, she was placed fifth.
Entering the clean and jerk round, Nirupama Devi Seram initially registered an opening attempt of 115kg, which she later increased to 123kg. However, she was unable to complete any of her three attempts at 123kg. Without a successful lift in the clean and jerk, she finished the competition without a total mark and was out of medal contention.
In other weightlifting news, Harjinder Kaur was scheduled to compete in the Women’s 69kg final later in the evening, aiming to add to India’s medal count. India has had a strong showing in weightlifting at the Games, securing six medals so far: one gold, four silver, and one bronze.
On the athletics track, Vishal TK secured a spot in the 400m semifinals by finishing second in Heat 6 with a time of 46.49 seconds. Another Indian athlete, Rajesh Ramesh, competed in Heat 3 of the 400m, clocking 47.43 seconds, but this was not enough to qualify for the semifinals.
Swimming and Para Athletics Highlights
In swimming, Srihari Nataraj qualified for the men’s 100m backstroke semifinals, finishing fifth in Heat 4 with a time of 55.58 seconds. The top 16 fastest swimmers from all heats advanced to the semifinals.
However, Sajan Prakash did not progress to the semifinals in the men’s 50m butterfly. Competing in Heat 9, he finished last in his race with a time of 24.94 seconds, placing 28th overall among 70 swimmers. A time quicker than 24.25 seconds was required for qualification.
India also saw success in para swimming, with both RVVBK Budigina and Ali Imam qualifying for the Men’s 50m Freestyle S13 final. Budigina finished third in Heat 1 with a time of 26.33 seconds, while Imam clocked 28.41 seconds to finish fifth in Heat 2.
A significant achievement for India came from Sharmila Dhankar, who won India’s first para-athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026. The 40-year-old athlete secured the gold in the women’s Shot Put F57 event with a season-best throw of 9.81 metres. This victory ended India’s 20-year wait for a para-athletics gold medal at the Games. Her teammate, Shilpa K Shyla, also earned a bronze medal in the same event, marking a rare double-podium finish for India.
The F57 category is designated for athletes with lower limb impairments or reduced muscle power. Sharmila Dhankar’s journey to gold involved overcoming personal challenges, including contracting polio at two years old and facing financial difficulties. She began competing at 33 and had previously finished fourth in both the 2022 Birmingham Para Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
In boxing, five Indian athletes were scheduled to compete in quarterfinal contests: Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, Parveen Hooda, Jadumani Singh, and Kapil Pokhariya. Each of these boxers was one victory away from securing at least a bronze medal by reaching the semifinals.
The Commonwealth Games 2026 are being held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026, featuring athletes from 72 Commonwealth nations and territories.
India’s Medal Tally and Upcoming Events
After a successful Monday that saw India secure six medals, bringing their total tally to 10 medals, the contingent aimed to continue its momentum. As of 28 July 2026, India ranked eighth in the medal table with two gold, five silver, and three bronze medals.
The day’s schedule included further medal opportunities in weightlifting and athletics, with Pooja Singh and Gulveer Singh set to compete in medal events on the track and field. The Indian contingent, comprising 126 athletes and 65 officials, is participating in its 19th Commonwealth Games.
Sharmila Dhankar, following her gold medal win, expressed her desire to buy a new house and is now focused on the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) organises the Games, continuing a tradition that started in 1930. Glasgow 2026 includes indoor bowls for both able-bodied and para competitions, alongside traditional events like the Queen’s Baton Relay, opening ceremony, and closing ceremony.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
The day’s events underscore India’s continued presence and ambition in various sports at the Commonwealth Games.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
