Anurag Thakur Hails Narender's CWG 2026 Silver in 90+kg
Synopsis
BJP MP Anurag Thakur congratulated TAGG athlete Narender for winning the Silver Medal in the Men's 90+kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026, calling it a moment the entire nation salutes.
Key Takeaways
Narender , a TAGG athlete, won the Silver Medal in the Men's 90+kg weightlifting event at Commonwealth Games 2026 .
BJP MP Anurag Thakur , former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, publicly congratulated Narender on 2 August 2026 .
India has a strong historical track record in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games, particularly in heavier categories.
The Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017 , has been a key government initiative supporting athletes competing at international multi-sport events.
The silver continues India's early medal momentum at CWG 2026 .
A heavyweight lifter just put India on the podium. Narender, competing as a TAGG athlete, claimed the Silver Medal in the Men's 90+kg event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 — and the congratulations came swiftly from the highest levels of Indian sport's political establishment.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur, the former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, took to X on Sunday, 2 August 2026, to salute Narender's achievement. 'The entire nation salutes your dedication, hardwork and undeterred spirit,' Thakur wrote, reflecting the pride that India's medal moments in weightlifting reliably generate.
India's Weightlifting Podium Tradition at the Commonwealth Games
Weightlifting has long been one of India's most dependable medal-hunting grounds at the Commonwealth Games. Across recent editions, Indian lifters in the heavier categories have punched above expectations, turning the platform into a showcase of raw power and disciplined training. Narender's silver in the 90+kg class continues that tradition.
TAGG and the Athlete-Sponsor Ecosystem
Narender competes under the banner of TAGG, reflecting the growing role of brand partnerships in backing Indian athletes outside the government pipeline. This sits alongside state-supported frameworks like the Khelo India scheme — launched in 2017 — which has worked to identify and fund talent for exactly these international stages.
A silver medal in the toughest weight class on the programme is not a consolation — it is a statement. As India's CWG 2026 campaign continues to unfold, Narender's podium finish sets an early, emphatic tone for what the nation's weightlifters can still deliver.
Point of View
His acknowledgement of Narender signals continuity in how the BJP frames athletic achievement as a national-pride narrative. The mention of TAGG, a private brand partner, alongside the implicit backdrop of Khelo India reflects India's evolving sports funding model, where state schemes and corporate sponsorships increasingly coexist. India's consistent weightlifting medals at the Commonwealth Games have become a quiet pillar of its overall sporting identity, and podium finishes in the 90+kg category carry outsized symbolic value. Thakur's public salute reinforces the political premium placed on sporting success ahead of future Games cycles.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Narender and what did he win at CWG 2026?
Narender is an Indian weightlifter competing under the TAGG brand who won the Silver Medal in the Men's 90+kg event at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
What is TAGG in Indian sports?
TAGG is a brand that partners with and backs Indian athletes, representing the growing role of private sponsorships in supporting sportspersons alongside government schemes.
Why did Anurag Thakur congratulate Narender?
Anurag Thakur, BJP MP and former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, congratulated Narender on his silver medal at CWG 2026, calling it a moment of national pride.
What is the Khelo India scheme?
Khelo India is a government initiative launched in 2017 to identify and support Indian athletes for international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games.
How has India performed in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games?
India has historically been a strong performer in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games, regularly winning medals across weight categories, particularly in heavier divisions.
