NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 medal winners in the national capital, expressing immense pride in the contingent’s stellar performances at the recently concluded edition in Glasgow.
Interacting warmly with the contingent, PM Modi lauded the dedication and resilience demonstrated by the athletes across disciplines. He also called upon citizens across the country to continue rallying behind Indian sportspersons as they compete on the global stage.
Sharing glimpses of his interaction on social media, the Prime Minister reiterated his signature sports philosophy: "Jo Khelega Woh Khilega" (Those who play will flourish). In a video message posted alongside the interaction, PM Modi urged the nation to always #Cheer4Bharat, celebrating the grit and sportsmanship shown by the contingent.
India’s impressive campaign at the Glasgow Games came despite the exclusion of several traditional strongholds from the official sports program, including wrestling, archery, and field hockey—disciplines that historically account for a bulk of India's CWG medal count. Despite these structural challenges, the Indian contingent mounted a formidable challenge to finish within the top five of the overall medal standings.
Boxers, Judokas & Distance Runners Lead the Charge
The Indian boxing contingent emerged as the centerpiece of the country’s top-five finish, delivering a dominant campaign with 10 medals, including seven gold.
In judo, Indian athletes produced standout displays on the mat, spearheaded by gold-medal efforts from Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh. India wrapped up its judo campaign with a tally of four medals.
On the track, distance runner Gulveer Singh etched his name into the record books with an extraordinary double-podium finish. Gulveer secured silver in the men’s 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m, becoming the first Indian track-and-field athlete to claim two individual medals in a single edition of the Commonwealth Games.
Historic Breakthroughs in Para-Sports
India’s para-athletes added further glory to the contingent's overall performance. Sharmila Dhankar scripted history by claiming India’s first-ever Commonwealth gold medal in para-athletics, dominating the women’s F57 shot put event. Meanwhile, Dilip Mahadu Gavit stormed to victory in the men’s 100m T47 event to add another gold to the tally.
With the next edition of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad, India, sports administrators and fans alike anticipate a record-breaking haul on home soil as India continues to strengthen its sporting infrastructure and athlete development pipelines.
