CWG 2026: Indian women win 8 of 13 gold medals, P.T. Usha hails Nari Shakti
Synopsis
India's women athletes claimed 8 of the country's 13 gold medals at CWG 2026 in Glasgow — more than 61% of the total gold haul. From Mirabai Chanu's weightlifting gold to Asmita Dey's historic judo first and five boxing champions, this is the most dominant women's performance in India's Commonwealth Games history, and IOA president P.T. Usha says it is only the beginning.
Key Takeaways
Indian women won 8 of India's 13 gold medals at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow .
Mirabai Chanu claimed gold in weightlifting , reinforcing her status as one of India's elite athletes.
Asmita Dey became India's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist .
Sharmila Dhankar won gold in para athletics women's shot put .
Five boxers — Sakshi Chaudhary , Preeti Pawar , Jaismine Lamboria , Priya Ghanghas , and Arundhati Choudhary — all topped their respective podiums.
Usha credited years of dedication by athletes, coaches, and support teams for the historic haul.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha on 2 August praised India's women athletes for driving the country's medal haul at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, after they claimed eight of India's 13 gold medals — a performance she described as the living embodiment of Nari Shakti.
Usha's Tribute to India's Women Champions
'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.
The statement underlines a broader shift in Indian sport — women are no longer occasional medal hopefuls but consistent frontrunners at multi-sport events.
The Eight Champions Who Led India's Charge
Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu once again confirmed her stature as one of India's finest, clinching gold in weightlifting. In para athletics, Sharmila Dhankar delivered a standout performance to win gold in the women's shot put. Asmita Dey etched her name in history by becoming India's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist.
The boxing contingent produced the most emphatic display: Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas, and Arundhati Choudhary all claimed gold, underlining the remarkable depth that Indian women's boxing has built over the past decade.
What This Signals for Indian Women's Sport
The performances at Glasgow reflect structural improvements — greater investment in grassroots development, expanded access to training infrastructure, and a more robust athlete support ecosystem. Together, these have created conditions in which women's sporting talent can consistently translate into international medals.
Notably, the eight champions also set a tone off the field, mentoring younger teammates and reinforcing the collective identity that has become a hallmark of Team India in recent years.
Broader Impact and What Comes Next
For millions of girls watching from homes, schools, and sports academies across the country, the sight of Chanu, Dhankar, Dey, and the five boxing gold medallists standing on the podium with the Tricolour is expected to have a lasting motivational impact. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously praised the achievements of women athletes and encouraged young girls to pursue sporting excellence. With India's women now accounting for more than 61% of the country's gold medals at CWG 2026, the conversation around investment and recognition in women's sport is set to intensify heading into the next major cycle.
Point of View
And what does that split say about where public money is actually working? P.T. Usha's 'Nari Shakti' framing is politically resonant, but the harder question is whether grassroots access — not just elite podium performance — is genuinely widening. India has produced champions before without producing depth; the five boxing golds suggest depth is arriving, but one Games cycle is not a trend.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gold medals did Indian women win at CWG 2026?
Indian women athletes won 8 of India's 13 gold medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, accounting for more than 61% of the country's total gold haul at the Games.
Who are the Indian women gold medallists at CWG 2026?
The eight gold medallists are Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting), Sharmila Dhankar (para athletics, women's shot put), Asmita Dey (judo), and boxers Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas, and Arundhati Choudhary.
What historic milestone did Asmita Dey achieve at CWG 2026?
Asmita Dey became India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medallist in judo at the 2026 edition in Glasgow, a landmark moment for the discipline in the country.
What did IOA president P.T. Usha say about India's women athletes at CWG 2026?
P.T. Usha said the eight gold medals filled her with 'immense pride' and described the achievements as the result of years of dedication by athletes, families, coaches, and support teams. She called it the true spirit of Nari Shakti and said the champions were inspiring young girls across India.
Why is India's women's performance at CWG 2026 significant?
It signals a structural shift in Indian sport — women are now consistent gold-medal contributors rather than occasional medal hopefuls, backed by improved grassroots investment, better training access, and stronger institutional support over the past decade.
