At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, India’s success was not solely attributed to weightlifting; boxing also contributed significantly to the country’s medal tally.
Event Context
On Day 6, India secured another silver medal in weightlifting and guaranteed three additional boxing medals, alongside the bronze already secured by Lovlina Borgohain, who advanced directly to the semifinals.
Harjinder Kaur, previously a bronze medalist in the women’s 71kg category at the 2022 Birmingham Games, earned silver in the new 69kg category with a total lift of 227kg. This achievement marked India’s seventh medal in weightlifting at the current Games, contributing to an overall medal count of 11 for the nation.
The 29-year-old athlete from Punjab had an impressive start, matching her personal best in the snatch before exceeding it with lifts of 99kg and 101kg, the latter setting a new Commonwealth Games record.
New Zealand’s Olivia Selemaiaia, a Commonwealth Championships gold medalist, faced disappointment by failing to clear 100kg in her three attempts. In contrast, Canada’s Charlotte Simoneau showcased her strength, lifting 108kg on her second try to establish a new Games record.
Trailing Simoneau by seven kilos going into the clean and jerk phase, Harjinder began with a successful lift of 120kg. She then lifted 120kg, 123kg, and 126kg, briefly setting a Commonwealth Games record with her total of 227kg.
Simoneau responded powerfully, successfully lifting 127kg on her first clean and jerk attempt to reclaim the record and followed it with 132kg, narrowly missing 135kg, which would have broken the Commonwealth record.
In boxing, Asian Games bronze medalist Preeti Pawar assured India of a second medal by winning a unanimous 5-0 decision against Northern Ireland’s Nicole Clyde in the women’s 54kg quarterfinals. Despite facing a height disadvantage, the 22-year-old displayed excellent footwork and striking combinations, overwhelming Clyde and securing her semifinals spot along with at least a bronze.
Reigning Asian champion Priya Ghanghas also ensured India another boxing medal after defeating local favorite Niamh Mitchell of Scotland by a 4-1 split decision in the women’s 60kg quarterfinal. Priya, who had a first-round bye, initially trailed 1-4 but rebounded to win the second round by the same margin, maintaining her composure in the final round to secure the victory.
Unfortunately, former Asian champion and World Championships bronze medalist Parveen Hooda’s winning streak ended as she lost a closely contested 2-3 split decision to Sacha Hickey in the women’s 65kg quarterfinals. However, the men’s events brought more joy, as Jadumani Singh ensured a medal by decisively defeating Zambia’s Mwengo Mwale, winning by unanimous decision with all five judges’ votes in his favor in the men’s 55kg quarterfinals.
Match Outlook
This will mark Preeti’s first medal at the Commonwealth Games.
