The Commonwealth Games 2026 started in Glasgow on July 23, and this Commonwealth Games 2026 promises to be quite different from others in many ways. With 10 sports only being a part of the Games, some of India's traditional medal winning sports are not featured in the Games. Still, India enters the Games with high expectations for success.
Medals for India will come mostly from track and field, weightlifting and boxing where India has some of the best athletes in the country. These five athletes are going to spearhead India's medal hopes in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Though participating with a smaller delegation in the Games compared to past editions, India still fields some of the best athletes who have a real chance of winning medals in their respective sports. Starting with an Olympic gold medalist, the following are five medal hopefuls for India in the upcoming Games.
Meet India's Top Medal Contenders for CWG 2026
1. Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw)
Neeraj Chopra is India's brightest medal prospect in Glasgow. The double Olympic champion and 2018 Commonwealth Games winner made his comeback to competition in June after overcoming an injury. He secured a fourth-place finish at the Doha Diamond League but impressively surpassed the CWG qualification mark with a throw of 85.69m. While he’s up against some fierce competition from elite international throwers, Chopra's wealth of experience in major events positions him as a top contender for the gold medal.
2. Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)
Mirabai Chanu steps into the Games as one of India's top contenders for a medal. The Tokyo Olympic medallist earned her spot by showcasing her strength at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Ahmedabad, where she absolutely crushed it. She lifted 84kg in the snatch and 109kg in the clean and jerk, setting a new Commonwealth record with a total of 193kg. As the reigning Commonwealth champion, she's ready to prove her prowess on the grand stage once more.
3. Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing)
Lovlina Borgohain has been on quite a roll since she transitioned to the 75kg weight class. The Tokyo Olympic medallist kicked things off by clinching the National Boxing Championship, and she didn’t stop there, she also bagged gold medals at the Boxam Elite International in Spain and the Usti nad Labem Grand Prix in Czechia in 2026. With such impressive performances, she’s definitely one of India’s top boxing hopefuls heading into Glasgow.
4. Parul Chaudhary (Distance Running)
Parul Chaudhary is stepping onto the scene in fantastic shape, having delivered some of the finest performances of her career this season. She recently shattered her own national record in the 5000m, finishing with an impressive time of 15:04.26 at the Meeting Nikaia in France. With her prowess in the 3000m steeplechase as well, this long-distance runner is giving India a genuine shot at medals on the track.
5. Murali Sreeshankar (Long Jump)
Murali Sreeshankar is back in action and stronger than ever after sitting out the Paris Olympics due to a serious knee injury. He kicked off his season with a win at the Indian Athletics Series and then matched his personal best of 8.38m at the Inter-State Championships. After snagging a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, the 27-year-old is heading to Glasgow with his sights set on turning that silver into gold.
