Blitz Bureau
Saji Chacko India’s impressive fourth-place finish at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was built on two striking features — the strength of its boxers and the outstanding contribution of its women athletes. With a haul of 39 medals, and finishing fourth overall, India once again demonstrated that its sporting ambitions are increasingly being backed by performances across disciplines.
Finishing fourth in the overall medals standings was a significant achievement, particularly in a competition featuring traditional Commonwealth sporting powers. More importantly, the Glasgow campaign underlined the growing depth of Indian sport, with athletes showing they could withstand the pressure of a major multi-sport event and convert opportunities into medals.
BOXERS EXCEL
Boxing emerged as one of the pillars of India’s campaign.
Indian boxers have traditionally performed strongly at the Commonwealth Games, but Glasgow provided another indication of the quality available in the country. The boxers combined aggression with tactical discipline and confidence, repeatedly putting themselves in medal contention.
● The Indian boxers won seven gold medals in both mens and womens. In the women. Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg),
● Arundhati Choudhary won gold . Sachin Siwach (60kg) and
● Ankush Panghal (80kg) were men who won gold.
Yet the Indians appeared comfortable on the big stage.
Equally significant was the contribution of India’s women.
Mirabai Chanu won a historic CWG gold for the third time when she bagged the top honours in the 48 kg,
If Glasgow offered another measure of India’s progress as a sporting nation, the performances of its women athletes provided perhaps the strongest evidence. Across events, Indian women displayed confidence, resilience and an ability to deliver under pressure.
Their success represents a transformation that has been taking place in Indian sport over the past two decades. Women athletes are no longer merely participants in major international competitions; they are increasingly among India’s most reliable medal contenders.
That change has enormous significance beyond the medals table.
Glasgow showed that this investment is producing results.
India’s overall tally of 39 medals was also important because it demonstrated that the country’s success was not dependent on one isolated discipline. The medals came from athletes capable of challenging international opposition in high-pressure situations.
Nevertheless, Glasgow should be viewed as another positive step in India’s sporting journey.
The 39-medal haul provided numbers for the record books, but the larger story was about the athletes behind those numbers. India’s boxers showed toughness and competitive maturity, while its women once again demonstrated why they have become central to the country’s international sporting success.
Fourth place may have been India’s final position on the medals table, but the performances in Glasgow suggested something more important:
Stellar shows
Boxing was the biggest success story: Indian boxers produced the country’s best-ever Commonwealth Games boxing performance, winning 10 medals, including seven golds.
Mirabai Chanu completed a golden hat-trick: The Olympic medallist won the women’s 48kg weightlifting gold, giving her a third successive Commonwealth Games title.
Weightlifting remained a major strength: India collected medals consistently in weightlifting. Rishikanta Singh, Muthupandi Raja, Gyaneshwari Yadav and Valluri Ajaya Babu were among the silver medallists, while Bindyarani Devi won bronze.
Historic para-sport performances: Sharmila Dhankar created history by winning gold in the women’s shot put F57, becoming India’s first para-athlete to win the event at these Games. India’s overall para-sport showing was its best at a Commonwealth Games.
Athletics delivered important breakthroughs: Sarvesh Kushare’s silver in high jump was the standout show. India also picked up medals through Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Seema and Yash Vir Singh.
Judo added to India’s growing depth: Indian judokas contributed to the medal haul, making Glasgow a significant Games for the discipline and demonstrating that India’s medal potential is expanding beyond its traditional strengths