From record-breaking lifts to historic firsts and inspiring comebacks, these seven Indian women have emerged as the biggest stars of the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Their medals and performances are not just adding to India’s tally, they are stories of resilience, sacrifice and determination that continue to inspire millions.
The Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow have witnessed several memorable performances from Indian athletes, but it is the country’s women who have once again stolen the spotlight. From Olympic medallists living up to expectations to first-time Commonwealth stars scripting history, these athletes have showcased India’s growing strength across weightlifting, para-athletics and boxing. Behind every medal lies years of sacrifice, financial struggles and unwavering belief.
1. Mirabai Chanu: Golden Legacy Continues
Mirabai Chanu once again proved why she remains one of India’s greatest sporting icons. The Manipuri weightlifter clinched India’s first gold medal of the Games in the women’s 48kg category, setting new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, clean & jerk and total lift. Her victory also made her the first Indian weightlifter to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals.
The achievement became even more remarkable after Chanu revealed that she had barely eaten for two to three days before the competition to remain within her weight category. Despite the physical challenge, she dominated the field by a massive margin and has now shifted her focus to winning the only major title missing from her cabinet—the Asian Games gold.
Another glorious chapter in Indian Weightlifting!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2026
The talented Mirabai Chanu once again showcased her skills at the Commonwealth Games with a stunning performance in the 48 kg category and winning Gold. With back-to-back Commonwealth Games Golds and an overall fourth CWG medal… pic.twitter.com/37IOvMXBTI
2. Sharmila Dhankar: Triumph Over Adversity
Few victories at Glasgow have been as inspiring as Sharmila Dhankar’s. The 40-year-old para-athlete won India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in para-athletics after producing a season-best throw of 9.81 metres in the Women’s Shot Put F57 event.
Born in Haryana, Sharmila contracted polio at the age of two, permanently affecting her left leg. Married young, she endured years of domestic violence and financial hardship before rebuilding her life. She only began competing professionally in her early 30s with the support of her second husband. Her historic gold also ended India’s 20-year medal drought in Commonwealth Games para-athletics.
3. Harjinder Kaur: Strength From Struggles
Punjab’s Harjinder Kaur upgraded her Birmingham 2022 bronze to a Commonwealth Games silver in Glasgow after producing career-best lifts in the women’s 69kg category. Along the way, she broke Commonwealth Games records during the competition and finished with an impressive total of 227kg.
Harjinder’s rise has been shaped by humble beginnings. Raised in a farming family in Mehas village, she often helped with agricultural work as a child. Hours spent operating a traditional chaff-cutting machine unknowingly developed the arm strength that later became her biggest asset. Her family’s sacrifices including her father’s famous ₹350 spent on milk for her training despite financial struggles remain central to her remarkable journey.
4. Gyaneshwari Yadav: Courage Beyond Pain
Making her Commonwealth Games debut, Gyaneshwari Yadav delivered a sensational silver medal in the women’s 53kg weightlifting event with a career-best total lift of 199kg.
Her achievement became even more emotional after she revealed that she competed while dealing with severe menstrual discomfort. Just before the competition, her brother was hospitalised following an accident, yet she kept a promise to him by winning a medal. Coming from a modest family where her father works as an electrician, Gyaneshwari trained at a local gym before joining the Chhattisgarh Police as an Assistant Sub-Inspector.
5. Shilpa K. Shyla: Persistence Earns Bronze
Shilpa K. Shyla added another chapter to India’s para-athletics success by securing the bronze medal in the Women’s Shot Put F57 event.
Initially finishing fourth, her hopes appeared over until the Athletics Federation of India successfully challenged the result. Following a review, a rival athlete was disqualified, promoting Shilpa to bronze. Alongside Sharmila Dhankar’s gold, her medal gave India its first-ever double podium finish in para-athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
6. Lovlina Borgohain: Champion Keeps Winning
Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain ensured India opened its boxing campaign with a medal after advancing directly to the women’s 75kg semifinals, guaranteeing herself at least bronze under Commonwealth Games rules.
Born in Assam’s Golaghat district, Lovlina grew up in a financially constrained household where her father worked tirelessly to support her dreams. She began her sporting journey in kickboxing before being identified during a Sports Authority of India trial and transitioning to boxing. Years of perseverance have transformed her into one of India’s most successful women boxers, and Glasgow is another milestone in her decorated career.
7. Priya Ghanghas: Eyes On Gold
At just 20, Haryana boxer Priya Ghanghas has become one of India’s brightest stars at Glasgow 2026. The reigning Asian champion staged a superb comeback to defeat Scotland’s Niamh Mitchell and book her place in the women’s 60kg semifinals, guaranteeing herself at least a bronze medal.
Competing in front of a partisan home crowd, Priya recovered after losing the opening round before turning the contest around with remarkable composure. After the bout, she summed up her ambition in one sentence: “My eyes are only on the gold.” Coming from Bhiwani, India’s boxing powerhouse, she now stands just two victories away from fulfilling that dream.
From Olympic champions and record-breaking weightlifters to para-athletes overcoming unimaginable odds and young boxers chasing history, these seven women embody the spirit of resilience that defines Indian sport. Their performances in Glasgow have not only strengthened India’s medal tally but also inspired countless young girls to dream bigger and aim higher.
