Harjinder Kaur wins CWG 2026 silver in 69kg weightlifting with 227kg lift
Synopsis
Harjinder Kaur did exactly what she came to Glasgow to do — swap bronze for silver. With all six lifts valid and a 227kg combined total, the former kabaddi raider turned Commonwealth medallist has now delivered back-to-back podium finishes. Her first call after the event? Her mother, who was 'a little upset' about the long absences. That detail says everything about the cost of elite sport.
Key Takeaways
Harjinder Kaur won the silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow .
She posted a combined lift of 227kg — 101kg snatch and 126kg clean and jerk — with all six lifts deemed valid.
The silver upgrades her bronze medal from the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games , making it her second successive CWG podium finish.
Harjinder began her sporting career as a kabaddi raider and switched to weightlifting only in 2016 at age 20 at Punjabi University, Patiala .
Her first post-event call was to her mother, who was 'a little upset' over her extended absence from home for competitions.
Indian weightlifter Harjinder Kaur clinched the silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, completing a combined lift of 227kg (101kg snatch + 126kg clean and jerk). The 29-year-old from Punjab secured second place with a successful final clean and jerk attempt, upgrading her bronze from the 2022 Birmingham Games to silver — a goal she had set for herself entering the competition.
The Winning Performance
Harjinder remained in medal contention throughout the event, executing all six of her lifts successfully — a feat she highlighted as a mark of consistency on the biggest stage. Her decisive 126kg clean and jerk in the final attempt sealed the silver. 'I am happy with my silver medal. I have achieved better clean and jerk lifts during my training, but I am satisfied that all six of my lifts were valid,' she said.
The First Call After the Medal
True to her habit after major victories, Harjinder's first call following the event was to her mother. 'I usually call my mother first whenever I win a medal, and today was no different — I spoke to her briefly right after my event as she was a little upset with me for being away at competitions for so long,' she said. The moment offered a glimpse into the personal sacrifices that underpin elite athletic careers — long stints away from family, punctuated by podium finishes.
Medal Upgrade Was the Mission
Harjinder had arrived in Glasgow with a clear objective. 'I came here with the goal of changing the colour of my medal,' she said, referring to her bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She delivered on that target, making this her second successive Commonwealth Games medal — a rare achievement in Indian weightlifting.
From Kabaddi Raider to Commonwealth Medallist
Harjinder's path to the podium is anything but conventional. She began her sporting life as a kabaddi player, training as a raider and cycling five kilometres daily just to reach practice. It was only in 2016, at the age of 20, that she transitioned to weightlifting after joining Punjabi University in Patiala. Within a decade, she has become one of India's most reliable performers on the Commonwealth stage. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, her trajectory suggests the top step of the podium remains firmly in her sights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Harjinder Kaur win at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Harjinder Kaur won the silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She completed a combined lift of 227kg, comprising a 101kg snatch and a 126kg clean and jerk.
How does Harjinder Kaur's CWG 2026 result compare to her 2022 performance?
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Harjinder won a bronze medal in the same weight category. Her silver at Glasgow 2026 represents a direct upgrade, making it her second successive Commonwealth Games medal.
What was Harjinder Kaur's total lift at CWG 2026?
Harjinder Kaur posted a combined total of 227kg — 101kg in the snatch and 126kg in the clean and jerk — with all six of her attempts recorded as valid lifts.
What sport did Harjinder Kaur play before weightlifting?
Before switching to weightlifting, Harjinder Kaur was a kabaddi player who trained as a raider and cycled five kilometres daily to reach practice. She transitioned to weightlifting in 2016 at the age of 20 after joining Punjabi University in Patiala.
Why did Harjinder Kaur call her mother after winning the silver medal?
Harjinder Kaur said she calls her mother first after every medal win. After the Glasgow event, her mother was reportedly a little upset over her prolonged absence from home due to competitions — a personal cost she acknowledged alongside the sporting achievement.
