CWG 2026: Harjinder’s Record Lifts and Gulveer’s Historic Run Add Silver Shine to India’s Campaign.
By PaperPatrika Sports Desk
India’s campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, gathered fresh momentum as weightlifter Harjinder Kaur and long-distance runner Gulveer Singh delivered two outstanding silver-medal performances on Tuesday. Their achievements not only boosted India’s medal tally but also showcased the country’s growing strength in weightlifting and athletics, while three Indian boxers secured semifinal berths to guarantee additional medals for the nation.
Harjinder Kaur produced the performance of her career by registering a Commonwealth Games personal-best total lift of 227kg, while Gulveer Singh scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the men’s 10,000 metres, ending a decades-long wait in one of athletics’ toughest endurance events. (The Times of India)
Harjinder Kaur Delivers Career-Best Performance
Competing in the women’s 69kg weightlifting category, Harjinder Kaur displayed remarkable consistency and composure throughout the competition.
She successfully lifted:
- Snatch: 101kg
- Clean & Jerk: 126kg
- Total: 227kg (Personal Best)
The impressive total earned her the silver medal, while Canada’s Charlotte Simoneau claimed the gold medal with a dominant combined lift of 240kg. (The Times of India)
Harjinder completed all her attempts confidently, demonstrating excellent technique under pressure. Her total surpassed her previous best and marked another major milestone after winning bronze at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. (The Times of India)
A Journey of Continuous Improvement
Harjinder’s Glasgow performance reflects years of steady progress.
Over the past few seasons, she has consistently improved her international results through podium finishes at:
- Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships
- Asian Weightlifting Championships
- World Weightlifting Championships
Her Glasgow silver confirms that she now ranks among the Commonwealth’s leading lifters in her category. (The Times of India)
Gulveer Singh Creates History on the Track
If Harjinder dominated the weightlifting arena, Gulveer Singh thrilled Indian fans on the athletics track.
Running in difficult weather conditions, Gulveer produced a tactical masterclass to finish second in the men’s 10,000 metres with a timing of 27:49.78.
Australia’s Ky Robinson won the gold medal, while Gulveer’s silver created history as India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the men’s 10,000m event. (The Economic Times)
Battling Rain and Elite Competition
The Glasgow weather added another challenge to an already demanding race.
Rain made track conditions slippery, forcing athletes to carefully manage pace and energy.
Rather than chasing the leaders from the start, Gulveer stayed with the front group before launching a powerful attack during the closing laps. His intelligent race strategy helped him secure second place against a world-class field. (The Economic Times)
Historic Moment for Indian Athletics
Distance running has traditionally been one of India’s most challenging events at the Commonwealth Games.
Gulveer’s silver therefore represents far more than another medal.
His achievement:
- Ends India’s long wait for a men’s 10,000m medal.
- Highlights the growing standard of Indian distance running.
- Demonstrates improved endurance training and international competitiveness.
- Inspires the next generation of Indian middle- and long-distance runners. (The Economic Times)
Boxing Team Guarantees More Medals
India also enjoyed another successful day inside the boxing ring.
Three Indian boxers advanced to the semifinals, ensuring at least bronze medals because both losing semifinalists receive bronze at the Commonwealth Games.
The successful boxers included:
- Priya Ghanghas
- Preeti Pawar
- Jadumani Singh
Priya produced one of the day’s finest comebacks, defeating local favourite Niamh Mitchell after losing the opening round. Preeti dominated her quarterfinal, while Jadumani delivered another commanding performance to move into the medal rounds. (ABP Live English)
Mixed Fortunes for India
While Harjinder and Gulveer celebrated silver medals, the day also brought disappointment.
Weightlifter Nirupama Devi failed to register a total after unsuccessful attempts in the clean & jerk section, ending her campaign without a medal despite entering the event as a strong contender. (The Times of India)
India’s Growing Medal Count
The latest medals further strengthened India’s position in the Commonwealth Games medal standings.
Weightlifting continues to be India’s biggest medal-producing sport, with athletes delivering consistent podium finishes across multiple weight categories.
Athletics has also emerged as a promising contributor, thanks to performances by Gulveer Singh and several para-athletes earlier in the Games. (The Economic Times)
Why These Medals Matter
The significance of Harjinder’s and Gulveer’s achievements extends beyond the medal table.
Harjinder’s performance demonstrates India’s depth in women’s weightlifting beyond established stars such as Mirabai Chanu.
Meanwhile, Gulveer’s historic silver shows that Indian athletics is steadily closing the gap with traditional distance-running powers.
Together, these performances reflect the country’s improving coaching systems, sports science support, and athlete development programmes.
Looking Ahead
India’s campaign remains far from over.
Several medal opportunities remain in:
- Boxing
- Athletics
- Wrestling
- Badminton
- Table Tennis
- Squash
- Weightlifting finals
With multiple Indian athletes already assured of medals in boxing and several finals yet to come, expectations remain high for another successful finish in Glasgow. (NDTV Sports)
Reactions Across India
Sports fans across the country celebrated the twin silver medals on social media.
Many praised Harjinder’s flawless lifting display, while Gulveer’s tactical race quickly became one of the most discussed moments of the Games.
Former athletes and coaches described Gulveer’s medal as a “historic breakthrough” for Indian long-distance running and hailed Harjinder’s consistency under pressure. Community reactions online echoed admiration for both performances, particularly Harjinder’s perfect series of lifts and Gulveer’s determined finish. (Reddit)
Conclusion
Harjinder Kaur and Gulveer Singh delivered two of India’s finest performances at the Commonwealth Games 2026, earning hard-fought silver medals that strengthened the country’s campaign in Glasgow. Harjinder’s career-best 227kg total confirmed her status among the Commonwealth’s elite weightlifters, while Gulveer etched his name into history as the first Indian to claim a Commonwealth Games medal in the men’s 10,000 metres.
Combined with India’s continued success in boxing and strong performances across multiple disciplines, these achievements underline the expanding depth of Indian sport on the international stage. As the Games enter their decisive phase, the Indian contingent will be eager to convert this momentum into more podium finishes and further enhance the nation’s medal tally.
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