Glasgow 2026: India's Finest Commonwealth Surprise
India arrived at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with lowered expectations after the absence of wrestling, shooting, hockey and archery—four of its biggest medal-winning sports. Yet, the contingent produced one of its most inspiring campaigns, finishing fourth on the medal table with 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver and 9 bronze). From boxing's historic 10-medal haul to breakthrough performances in athletics, judo and para sports, here's a look back at the athletes who made Glasgow 2026 a Commonwealth Games to remember.
Ananth Shivram
8/3/20264 min read
Few expected India to leave Glasgow wearing this many smiles.
Before the 2026 Commonwealth Games began, expectations were understandably tempered. The absence of wrestling, shooting, hockey and archery meant India was without four of its biggest medal-producing sports—disciplines that have traditionally formed the backbone of the country's Commonwealth success. Naturally, predictions suggested India would struggle to match previous editions.
Instead, the Indian contingent responded with one of its most resilient performances at a Commonwealth Games.
India finished fourth on the medal table with 39 medals—13 gold, 17 silver and 9 bronze. More importantly, the campaign showcased a growing sporting ecosystem where success no longer depends on just a handful of disciplines. Boxing, athletics, weightlifting, judo and para sports stepped forward to ensure India remained among the Commonwealth's elite.
It wasn't just about the medals. It was about discovering new strengths.
Boxing steals the spotlight
If there was one sport that defined India's Games, it was boxing.
India finished with an incredible 10 medals—7 gold and 3 silver in what will go down as one of the finest boxing performances in Commonwealth Games history. Even more remarkably, all ten medals came on the same day, creating a memorable finish to the competition.
The gold medals came through Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg) and Ankush Panghal (80kg).
Backing them up were silver medallists Jadumani Singh (55kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Narender Berwal (+90kg).
What stood out wasn't just the medal count, but the depth across weight categories. India's boxers dominated both the men's and women's competitions, proving that the country's boxing programme has evolved into one of the strongest in the Commonwealth.
Weightlifting delivers once again
Weightlifting has become one of India's most reliable medal contributors, and Glasgow continued that tradition.
The team returned with eight medals led by Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu, who once again stood on top of the podium after winning gold in the women's 48kg category.
Silver medals followed through Rishikanta Singh (60kg), Muthupandi Raja (65kg), Gyaneshwari Yadav (53kg), Valluri Ajaya Babu (79kg), Harjinder Kaur (69kg) and Lovepreet Singh (+110kg), while Bindyarani Devi claimed bronze in the women's 58kg division.
Although there was only one gold, India's consistency across multiple weight classes ensured another successful Games for one of its strongest sporting disciplines.
Athletics continues to rise
Athletics once again demonstrated why it has become one of India's fastest-growing sports.
The biggest talking point came in the men's javelin throw, where Neeraj Chopra won silver and Yash Vir Singh secured bronze. Having two Indians on the podium in the same event reflected the growing depth that now exists in Indian athletics.
Another historic moment came through Tejaswin Shankar, whose bronze medal in the decathlon represented a significant breakthrough in one of athletics' most demanding events.
Distance runner Gulveer Singh enjoyed an outstanding Games, winning silver in the 10,000 metres before adding bronze in the 5,000 metres to become one of India's standout performers.
In the jumps, Murali Sreeshankar claimed silver in the long jump, Praveen Chithravel added silver in the triple jump, while Selva Prabhu earned bronze in the same event. Sarvesh Kushare cleared his way to silver in the high jump, and Seema Kaliramna rounded off the athletics campaign with bronze in the women's discus throw.
These performances showed that India's athletics programme is no longer built around one or two stars. Success is now coming across track and field events, creating optimism ahead of future global competitions.
Para athletes lead by example
The para-athletes once again delivered moments that inspired the nation.
Sharmila Dhankar struck gold in the women's F57 shot put, while Soman Rana matched that feat by winning gold in the men's F57 shot put.
India also celebrated a one-two finish in the men's T47 100 metres as Dilip Gavit claimed gold ahead of compatriot Mohammed Basil, who took silver.
Further medals came through Shubham Juyal, who won silver in the men's F57 shot put, and Shilpa K. Shyla, who earned bronze in the women's F57 shot put.
In para powerlifting, Jhandu Kumar fought his way to bronze in the men's heavyweight category, adding another memorable chapter to India's campaign.
Every medal represented years of perseverance, sacrifice and determination, reminding everyone that India's sporting success extends far beyond the mainstream.
Judo grabs its opportunity
With wrestling absent from the programme, judo had the opportunity to step into the limelight—and the Indian judokas embraced it.
Asmita Dey claimed gold in the women's -48kg category, while Harsh Singh followed with another gold in the men's -60kg division.
Yamini Mourya added silver in the women's -57kg event, and Unnati Sharma completed the medal haul with bronze in the women's -63kg category.
These performances may not have received the same attention as boxing or athletics, but they could prove equally important for the future of Indian judo by inspiring a new generation to take up the sport.
More than just a medal tally
The easiest way to judge a Commonwealth Games campaign is by counting medals.
But Glasgow 2026 deserves to be remembered for much more than that.
India arrived without four of its biggest medal-winning sports, yet still finished fourth in the standings. That wasn't possible because one athlete carried the team. It happened because dozens of athletes across multiple disciplines stepped up when the country needed them most.
Boxing delivered a historic haul. Weightlifting remained dependable. Athletics continued its upward trajectory. Judo announced itself on the big stage. The para-athletes once again inspired the nation.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Glasgow is that India's medal base is expanding.
Champions are now emerging from more sports than ever before, creating a stronger and more sustainable future for Indian sport.
The medal table will simply record 39 medals and a fourth-place finish.
But those numbers don't fully capture the story.
Glasgow 2026 was a Commonwealth Games where expectations were low, opportunities were limited, and India's athletes refused to let either define them.
They left Scotland with medals around their necks, belief in their hearts and a message for the rest of the Commonwealth.
Indian sport is growing in depth, and its future has never looked brighter.