Gulveer and Harjinder Power India’s Glasgow Campaign
India celebrated two major silver medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games as Gulveer Singh made history in the men’s 10,000m and Harjinder Kaur upgraded her Birmingham bronze in weightlifting. Their contrasting journeys highlighted India’s growing strength across athletics and weightlifting.
India CWG 2026 Double Silver: Gulveer, Harjinder Shine
India’s CWG 2026 double silver celebration was led by Gulveer Singh and Harjinder Kaur, who delivered major podium performances in athletics and weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Gulveer became the first Indian man to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the men’s 10,000m, while Harjinder upgraded the bronze she earned at Birmingham 2022 to silver in the women’s 69kg weightlifting event.
India CWG 2026 Double Silver Boosts Medal Campaign
Gulveer Singh produced a patient and tactically controlled performance in difficult, rain-hit conditions at Scotstoun Stadium. The Indian distance runner completed the men’s 10,000m final in 27 minutes and 49.78 seconds.
Australia’s Ky Robinson claimed gold in 27:48.93, finishing less than one second ahead of Gulveer. David Mullarkey of the Isle of Man secured bronze with a time of 27:50.28.
Gulveer remained close to the leaders during the early stages before slipping to ninth position around the middle of the race. Instead of responding with an immediate surge, he conserved his energy and gradually returned to the leading group.
He entered the final lap in medal contention before accelerating past Kenya’s Edwin Kurgat and challenging Robinson for gold. Although the finish line arrived before Gulveer could close the gap, his silver medal created a new chapter in Indian distance-running history.
Gulveer Singh Creates Indian Athletics History
The result made Gulveer the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games men’s 10,000m event.
His achievement also made him only the second Indian to earn a Commonwealth Games medal over the distance. Kavita Raut previously won bronze in the women’s 10,000m at the 2010 Delhi Games.
The reigning Asian champion said his strategy was to remain with the leading pack during the opening stages and depend on his finishing speed. His disciplined approach proved decisive during a race affected by persistent rain and difficult track conditions.
Harjinder Kaur Upgrades CWG Bronze to Silver
India’s second silver came through Harjinder Kaur in the women’s 69kg weightlifting event.
Harjinder lifted a personal-best 101kg in the snatch and 126kg in the clean and jerk, producing a combined total of 227kg. The performance secured her second consecutive Commonwealth Games medal after her bronze at Birmingham 2022.
Canada’s Charlotte Simoneau won gold with a Games-record total of 240kg, comprising 108kg in the snatch and 132kg in the clean and jerk. Australia’s Nya Phebe Hayman earned bronze with a total of 218kg.
Harjinder temporarily established new Commonwealth Games marks during her performance before Simoneau surpassed them. Her successful final clean-and-jerk attempt at 126kg ensured she finished nine kilograms ahead of the bronze medallist.
Family Sacrifices Behind Harjinder Kaur’s Medal
Harjinder’s sporting journey began under difficult financial circumstances. Her father supported her travel between Nabha and her college hostel in Sri Anandpur Sahib, frequently giving her ₹350 for the return journey and another ₹350 for personal expenses.
The Indian weightlifter has also credited the physical work she performed while growing up, including cutting fodder on her family farm, with helping her develop the strength that later supported her weightlifting career.
After earning bronze in Birmingham, Harjinder arrived in Glasgow determined to improve the colour of her medal. Her personal-best lifts allowed her to achieve that objective.
She dedicated the silver to her family and thanked the national federation and government for supporting her journey. Harjinder has now set her sights on converting silver into gold at the next Commonwealth Games.
Athletics and Weightlifting Deliver for India
The two silver medals represented success in contrasting disciplines. Gulveer relied on endurance, race awareness, and a late sprint, while Harjinder combined strength, technique, and composure under increasing weights.
Harjinder’s result was India’s seventh medal from its first eight weightlifting events in Glasgow. Gulveer’s podium finish, meanwhile, gave Indian men’s distance running its first Commonwealth Games 10,000m medal.
Together, their performances strengthened India’s medal campaign and demonstrated the country’s expanding potential beyond its traditionally successful sporting events.
