Glasgow 2026: Chanu Claims Gold as India Secures Early Foothold in Medal Standings

Chanu Achieves Historic Hat-trick in Weightlifting

Mirabai Chanu solidified her legacy on July 26, 2026, by securing a gold medal in the women’s 48kg final at the 23rd Commonwealth Games. This victory marks her third successive gold in the category, anchoring an aggressive start for the Indian delegation in Scotland. Chanu’s performance served as the highlight of a weightlifting campaign that has already yielded three of India's four total medals.

Early Gains in Powerlifting and Weightlifting

India’s presence on the podium began mid-week when para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar secured the nation's first recognition. Competing in the Men’s para-powerlifting division on Friday, July 24, Kumar earned a bronze medal, initiating the count for the integrated para-sports categories. The momentum shifted to the able-bodied events shortly after, with two significant podium finishes in the Men's weightlifting disciplines:

• Rishikanta Singh: Earned silver in the Men’s 60 kg category, marking the first able-bodied medal of the Glasgow campaign.
• Raja Muthupandi: Claimed a second silver medal for the squad in the Men’s 65 kg event.

Comparative Standing and Contingent Scope

As the competition progresses toward its August 2 conclusion, India sits in eighth place globally, trailing just behind Malaysia. Australia currently dominates the leaderboard with 39 total medals, followed by England and the host nation, Scotland. India's 122-member squad is competing across a diverse range of 13 disciplines, including athletics, judo, and 3x3 wheelchair basketball.

Current Medal Distribution by Sport

• Weightlifting: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 0 Bronze (3 Total)
• Para Powerlifting: 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze (1 Total)

The total tally of four medals places India within the top ten, keeping them ahead of prominent competitors like New Zealand and Wales in the early stages of the tournament.

Source: The Hindu — Sport