Weightlifting Federation of India President Sahdev Yadav shared his thoughts on India’s performance at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2026, expressing a mix of sentiments. He highlighted the need for improvement while commending Mirabai Chanu for her outstanding gold-winning performance. Mirabai, a star lifter, secured her fourth Commonwealth Games medal, setting new records in various categories.
Yadav praised Mirabai for her strategic approach and long-term goals in the sport. Mirabai, who clinched a silver in 2014 and gold in 2018 and 2022, showcased her prowess by lifting a total of 190 kg at the Glasgow Games, breaking records in snatch, clean and jerk, and overall total. Yadav mentioned that Mirabai is being prepared for a higher weight category at the upcoming Asian Games.
In the men’s 65kg event, Muthupandi Raja claimed the silver medal with a total lift of 286kg. Despite a strong start with successful lifts, Raja faced challenges in his final attempts. Yadav expressed some dissatisfaction with Raja’s performance, emphasizing the importance of consistency and successful attempts in competitive weightlifting.
Reflecting on Raja’s performance, Yadav acknowledged the need to focus on nurturing the next generation of weightlifters, considering Raja’s age and performance trajectory. The Weightlifting Federation of India is looking towards developing young talent to sustain India’s presence in international weightlifting competitions.
Rishikanta Singh kicked off India’s weightlifting campaign with a silver medal in the men’s 60kg event. While Singh delivered a commendable performance, a minor setback impacted his final standings. Yadav highlighted the significance of each lift in determining the outcome of competitions, noting the competitive nature of weightlifting at the elite level.
India’s weightlifting contingent is gearing up for upcoming events, with hopes of securing medals in various categories. Yadav expressed optimism for India’s performance, aiming to secure a mix of gold, silver, and bronze medals in the upcoming competitions.
