New Delhi, August 9: The cheers from Glasgow may have faded, but India’s Commonwealth Games heroes received another moment in the spotlight on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the country’s 2026 CWG medal winners at his official residence in New Delhi.
The meeting came days after India wrapped up its Commonwealth Games campaign with an impressive 39-medal haul — 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze — to finish fourth in the overall standings.
Modi interacted with the athletes, congratulating them for their determination and performances on the international stage. The Prime Minister later shared glimpses of the gathering, adding a sporting message that quickly became the highlight of the interaction: “Jo khelega, woh khilega.”
He also urged Indians to continue backing the country’s athletes with the message “Always cheer for Bharat.”
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A 39-medal campaign to remember
India’s Glasgow campaign was built on a strong showing across several disciplines, but boxing emerged as the biggest headline-maker.
Indian boxers produced a record-breaking performance, collecting seven gold medals and three silver medals. It was India’s best-ever boxing gold haul at a Commonwealth Games, underlining the country’s growing strength in the ring.
The medal-winning performances, however, extended well beyond boxing.
Mirabai Chanu added another chapter to her extraordinary Commonwealth Games career by winning gold in the women’s 48kg weightlifting category. The victory gave her back-to-back CWG gold medals and her fourth overall Commonwealth Games medal.
Weightlifting also produced medals through athletes including Raja Muthupandi, Gyaneshwari Yadav, Rishikanta Singh Chanambam, Valluri Ajaya Babu and Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam. Ajaya Babu additionally etched his name into the record books with a Commonwealth Games record in the snatch.
Athletics and para-athletics added further sparkle. Sarvesh Kushare won silver in the men’s high jump, while Sharmila created history by winning gold in the women’s F57 shot put — ending India’s two-decade wait for a Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold.
From medals to motivation
The Delhi meeting was more than a ceremonial reception. It offered a chance for the athletes who carried India’s hopes in Glasgow to share the moment with the Prime Minister after a campaign that placed the country fourth on the medal table.
And Modi’s simple sporting line captured the mood of the gathering.
“Jo khelega, woh khilega.”
For India’s CWG heroes, the message was fitting: the medals may have been won in Glasgow, but the applause continued at home.
India at CWG 2026 — The Numbers
Final position: 4th
Total medals: 39
Gold: 13
Silver: 17
Bronze: 9
Boxing: 7 gold, 3 silver
Host city: Glasgow, Scotland
India’s standout: Record boxing gold haul, alongside major contributions from weightlifting, athletics, judo and para-athletics.
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