With badminton, shooting, and wrestling out of the contention, here’s a brief look at seven Indian athletes who have a formidable chance of securing a…
1/8The Commonwealth Games in 2026 dons a shrunk version of its glorious past, with just 10 sports being permitted in the current edition of the quadrennial event. With badminton, shooting, and wrestling out of the contention, here’s a brief look at seven Indian athletes who have a formidable chance of securing at least a podium finish over the course of the coming one week in Glasgow.
2/81. Neeraj Chopra (Athletics – Javelin Throw): India’s most celebrated track and field athlete enters Glasgow as one of the favourites for gold. The Olympic and World champion has consistently ranked among the world’s best javelin throwers and will be aiming to reclaim the Commonwealth title after missing the Birmingham 2022 Games through injury.
3/82: Murali Sreeshankar (Athletics – Long Jump): After returning from a long injury layoff, Murali Sreeshankar is once again among India’s strongest field-event medal contenders. The Commonwealth silver medallist and Asian champion has consistently produced world-class jumps and will be aiming to improve on his Birmingham 2022 performance.
4/8No. 3 | Bindyarani Devi (Weightlifting): Bindyarani Devi has emerged as one of India’s most consistent weightlifters in recent years. The Commonwealth champion has regularly finished on international podiums and enters Glasgow as a strong contender to continue India’s rich medal-winning tradition in the sport.
5/8No. 4 | Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing): Already assured of at least a bronze medal after receiving a direct semifinal berth, Lovlina Borgohain heads into Glasgow with momentum. The Olympic bronze medallist and former world champion is now just one victory away from reaching the gold-medal bout in the women’s 75kg division.
6/8No. 5 | Jaismine Lamboria (Boxing): A bronze medallist at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Jaismine Lamboria enters Glasgow as one of India’s leading boxing medal hopes. Benefiting from a first-round bye, she is just one victory away from securing another Commonwealth podium finish as India looks to continue its strong boxing tradition.
7/8No. 6 | Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Athletics – Shot Put): One of India’s most accomplished throwers, Tajinderpal Singh Toor heads to Glasgow as a leading medal contender in the shot put. The Asian record holder and multiple-time Asian champion has consistently surpassed the 21-metre mark and will be aiming to add another Commonwealth Games to his tally.
8/8No. 7 | Sarvesh Kushare (Athletics – High Jump): Sarvesh Kushare has emerged as one of India’s brightest field-event athletes after becoming the country’s first high jumper to clear 2.30 metres. Ranked among the world’s leading jumpers this season, he enters Glasgow with realistic hopes of claiming India’s first Commonwealth high jump medal.
