Mumbai, Dec 26 (NationPress) India experienced a varied performance in Olympic sports during 2025, claiming titles and medals across global and continental platforms in disciplines such as shooting, boxing, athletics, archery, badminton, hockey, wrestling, and weightlifting, while facing challenges in several other areas.

In archery, the Indian men's recurve team, consisting of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Atanu Das, secured a silver medal at the 2025 World Cup. The country excelled in the compound category, with the women's team and Jyothi Surekha Vennam also earning silver medals in both the team and individual events.

India performed admirably at the 2025 Summer World University Games, bringing home a total of 12 medals, which included two gold and five silver in this premier multi-discipline, multi-nations event.

Despite Neeraj Chopra's inability to defend his gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, he made history by surpassing the 90m mark in javelin throw, achieving a distance of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League. He also clinched gold medals at the Golden Spike Ostrava and NC Classic, becoming an event organizer, and secured silver at the 2025 Diamond League Final.

The badminton scene saw mixed results; while the men's doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty performed exceptionally, others struggled to maintain consistency and secure additional medals.

Cricket brought a significant boost to Indian sports, with the men's team winning the Champions Trophy and the women’s team making history by capturing their first ODI World Cup on home soil.

Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu won gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, lifting a record-breaking total of 193 kg. Priteesmita Bhoi and Dharamjyoti Dewghariya also earned gold in the women's 44-48 kg and men's 56-60 kg categories, respectively.

India also excelled in para-sports, garnering six gold medals at the inaugural World Para Athletics Championships held in India, concluding with a total of 22 medals. However, with the onset of 2026, new challenges await in multi-disciplinary sports.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games—the 23rd edition—will take place in Glasgow, a city that previously hosted the Games in 2014, where India claimed 64 medals, including 15 gold. Competing effectively in the 2026 Glasgow Games poses a challenge as this edition will be a scaled-down version compared to previous iterations.

Scheduled from July 23 to August 2, Glasgow 2026 will feature events in 10 sports: athletics, 3x3 basketball, bowls, boxing, gymnastics, judo, netball, swimming, track cycling, and weightlifting.

A key concern impacting India's medal prospects in 2026 is the exclusion of sports like shooting, badminton, table tennis, and wrestling—domains where India has historically excelled at the Commonwealth level. These events are not included in the 10-sport program, while newer categories such as 3x3 basketball, bowls, gymnastics, netball, swimming, and track cycling are on the agenda, which do not align with India’s strengths. The reduction in sports means fewer overall medals are available.

Consequently, Indian athletes will need to approach Glasgow with tempered expectations as competitions will occur in athletics (43 disciplines) and para-athletics (16), along with 3x3 basketball for both men and women, as well as 3x3 wheelchair basketball, bowls and para bowls, boxing, gymnastics (including artistic gymnastics), judo (14 medals), netball, swimming and para-swimming, track cycling and para track-cycling, in addition to weightlifting and para-weightlifting.

Several events in athletics (marathons and race walking) and cycling (mountain bike and road cycling) have also been omitted. Additionally, various sports formats have seen alterations. In some instances, the quota numbers have increased; in others, a new variety will make its debut.

Athletics will feature a mixed 4x400m race, while the mile will replace the 1500m event. While the diminished number of sports and disciplines will likely affect India's medal tally, a substantial medal haul at Glasgow 2026 is crucial as India is currently the sole contender for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Ahmedabad being recommended by the Commonwealth Sport executive board to the general assembly.

Glasgow 2026 will serve as a pivotal test for India amid new competitions and increased funding. The responsibility now lies with the athletes to deliver at the global stage.