India Tops Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship

The Indian contingent's impressive performance at the 25th Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championship in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, saw them secure a total of 13 medals. This included four golds, six silvers, and three bronzes, placing them at the top of the medal table ahead of Nigeria. The event, which hosted over 300 weightlifters from 31 nations, also served as a qualifying event for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The four gold medals for India were won by Mirabai Chanu in the women's 48 kg category, Rishikanta Singh in the men's 60 kg, Ajith Narayana in the men's 71 kg, and Ajaya Babu Valluri in the men's 79 kg category. Their victories have earned them direct qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. This victory continues India's consistent success in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, having also topped the medal tally in the previous editions. In the 2023 championships, Indian weightlifters secured a remarkable 20 medals. At the 2021 event held in Tashkent, India had won 16 medals. The team's success is bolstered by significant government investment in the sport. The Indian government has allocated ₹26.98 crore to the weightlifting federation over the last three years to support athlete development and training. This is part of a larger initiative to promote sports, with schemes like the Khelo India Programme receiving substantial funding. In collegiate sports, Fabrienne Foster of North Texas made headlines at the American Conference Indoor Championship. She set a new program record in the women's weight throw with a winning mark of 19.57 meters. This achievement was a personal best for Foster and a key contribution to her team's victory at the conference championship.