India secure top-four finish at 2026 Commonwealth Games after historic 3…
India finished fourth at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 39 medals, marking a strong campaign despite the exclusion of several sports.
India secured a fourth-place finish at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, winning 39 medals — 13 gold, 17 silver, and nine bronze — despite no medals on the final day. The achievement marked one of the nation’s best performances in the event’s history, with strong showings in boxing, athletics, and judo.
Penultimate Day Surge Boosts Medal Count
India’s medal tally surged on Day 9, adding 16 medals to reach 39 total. Boxing was a standout discipline, with seven golds and three silvers, including victories by Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, and Sakshi Chaudhary. Para-athletes also delivered their best-ever performance, securing seven medals, including three golds, while athletics and weightlifting contributed significantly.
In track events, Gulveer Singh became the first Indian to win a medal in the 5000m, claiming bronze with a time of 13:24.95. Soman Rana and Shubham Juyal won gold and silver in the Men’s Shot Put F57 Final, while Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu Thirumaran added silver and bronze in the Men’s Triple Jump. These results highlighted India’s growing strength in para-athletics and track events.
Final Day Results and Medal Tally
On the final day, August 2, India failed to add to its medal count. Judoka Ishroop Narang narrowly missed bronze in the women’s -78kg category, losing to Canada’s Coralie Godbout. Track cyclists Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam and others also failed to secure podium finishes. Despite this, India’s total of 39 medals placed it fourth, ahead of Scotland, Nigeria, and New Zealand, but behind Australia, England, and Canada.
Australia led the medal table with 171 total medals, including 70 golds, while England and Canada completed the top three. Scotland matched India’s 13 golds but fell behind due to fewer silver medals. New Zealand’s netball victory over Australia and Wales’ strong performance in bowls underscored the competitive landscape.
Significance of the Achievement
The fourth-place finish was notable given the 2026 Games featured only 10 sports, excluding medal-rich disciplines like wrestling, badminton, and hockey. India’s focus on boxing, athletics, and judo allowed it to maximize its potential. The IOA chief praised the “Nari Shakti” (women’s power) after a gold rush in judo and boxing events.
India’s para-athletes, who won seven medals, further demonstrated the country’s growing prowess in adaptive sports. The success in athletics, where 16 medals were secured, and contributions from weightlifting and judo highlighted a well-rounded campaign.
Closing Ceremony and Future Focus
The Games concluded with a closing ceremony at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, where India’s Jaismine Lamboria, a boxing gold medallist, carried the national flag. The event featured cultural performances and a formal handover of the Commonwealth Games flag to Ahmedabad, which will host the 2030 edition, the first in India since 2010. A special cultural presentation showcased India’s heritage ahead of the 2030 Games.
As the focus shifts to Ahmedabad 2030, the 2026 campaign has set a high bar for future performances. The success in Glasgow, achieved despite structural limitations, reflects progress in Indian sports infrastructure and the potential for continued growth in international competitions.
