India Dominates Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships
India's weightlifting team secured the top position in the medal tally at the 25th Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championship. This dominant performance underscores India's growing stature in international weightlifting and reflects strong progress across multiple weight classes in Olympic lifts and competitive training programs.
The Indian contingent amassed a total of 13 medals in the senior category, comprising 4 golds, 6 silvers, and 3 bronzes, at the championships held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This impressive haul placed them at the pinnacle of the medal standings. Across all categories, including junior and youth events, India's total medal count swelled to a commanding 40. The competition, which featured over 300 weightlifters from 31 different countries, also served as a qualifying event for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The gold medalists in each senior weightlifting category secured automatic qualification for the upcoming Games. Among the standout performers was celebrated weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who made a triumphant return to the sport. She not only clinched the gold medal in the women's 48 kg category but also shattered the championship record with a total lift of 193 kg. Her victory also confirmed her spot for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Other gold medalists for India included Ajit Narayan in the men's 71 kg category and Ajay Babu Valluri in the men's 79 kg division. Valluri secured his gold with a total lift of 335 kg, also earning his qualification for the Glasgow games. The silver medals for India were won by Muthupandi Raja (men's 65 kg), Dilbag Singh (men's 94 kg), Soumya Sunil Dalvi (women's 48 kg), Sneha Soren (women's 53 kg), Bindyarani Devi (women's 58 kg), Nirupama Devi (women's 63 kg), and Mehak Sharma (women's 86+ kg). Sharma's silver was accompanied by a new personal best lift. Bronze medals were added to India's tally by Lovepreet Singh in the men's 110+ kg category, Harjinder Kaur in the women's 69 kg, and Vanshita Verma in the women's 86 kg category. The success was not limited to the senior lifters. In the youth and junior competitions, Indian athletes also delivered record-breaking performances. Koyel Bar, a rising star, set new Youth World Records in the 53 kg category.
