Daijiworld Media Network - Glasgow
Glasgow, Aug. 2: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha has lauded the country's women athletes for leading India's campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026, where they have won eight of the nation's 13 gold medals, describing their success as a reflection of years of dedication and a source of inspiration for young girls across the country.
"Seeing India's women win eight of our 13 gold medals fills me with immense pride. These achievements are the result of years of dedication by the athletes, their families, coaches and support teams. Every medal tells the story of perseverance and sacrifice. More importantly, these champions are inspiring countless young girls across India to believe that they too can wear the India jersey and succeed on the world stage. That is the true spirit of Nari Shakti," Usha said in an IOA release.
India's women have played a pivotal role in the country's medal haul in Glasgow, underlining the growing depth and consistency of women's sport across multiple disciplines.
Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu added another Commonwealth Games gold to her illustrious career by topping the podium in weightlifting, while para athlete Sharmila Dhankar clinched gold in the women's shot put. Asmita Dey also created history by becoming India's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist.
Indian women boxers delivered a dominant performance, with Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas and Arundhati Choudhary winning gold medals to underline the remarkable progress made by women's boxing in the country over the past decade.
Their collective performances have transformed India's campaign in Glasgow, reinforcing the emergence of Indian women as consistent contenders for top honours on the international stage.
The achievements also reflect the broader transformation in Indian sport, driven by increased investment in grassroots development, improved training infrastructure, stronger athlete support systems and greater recognition for women athletes, creating an environment that enables sporting talent to flourish.
The success aligns with the country's wider focus on women's empowerment through greater participation in sports and increased opportunities for women. The IOA statement also noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continued support for women athletes through recognition of their achievements and encouragement to aspiring sportspersons.
Beyond their medal-winning performances, India's women athletes have also been credited with mentoring younger teammates, celebrating each other's success and strengthening the team spirit that has become a hallmark of Team India.
The medal-winning performances of Mirabai Chanu, Sharmila Dhankar, Asmita Dey, Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas and Arundhati Choudhary have inspired millions of young girls across India to dream of representing the nation on the global stage.