Dr Mandaviya Felicitates CWG 2026 Weightlifting Medallists, Urges Youth to Embrace Sports

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday felicitated India's Commonwealth Games 2026 weightlifting medallists, rewarding their outstanding performances at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and encouraging them to inspire the next generation of athletes.

Met with our stellar weightlifting champions who have lifted Bharat's pride with their commendable performance at CWG 2026! 🇮🇳🏋️‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/7ZGM3dWJ5V

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) August 3, 2026

The Minister presented cash awards of ₹30 lakh to gold medallists, ₹20 lakh to silver medallists and ₹10 lakh to bronze medallists. India's weightlifting contingent secured an impressive eight medals—one gold, six silver and one bronze—across 11 weight categories, while also setting multiple Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records alongside several personal-best performances.

युवा मामलों और खेल मंत्री डॉ. मनसुख मंडाविया ने ग्लासगो में ऐतिहासिक प्रदर्शन करने वाले भारत के कॉमनवेल्थ गेम्स 2026 वेटलिफ्टिंग पदक विजेताओं को सम्मानित किया। भारतीय वेटलिफ्टरों ने 11 वेट कैटेगरी में हिस्सा लिया और 8 पदक जीते, जिसमें 1 गोल्ड, 6 सिल्वर और एक ब्रॉन्ज़ शामिल रहे।… pic.twitter.com/jz2iscPwL8

— आकाशवाणी समाचार (@AIRNewsHindi) August 3, 2026

Congratulating the athletes, Mandaviya said the nation celebrated every medal won by the weightlifters and noted that their achievements were recognised in Parliament. He also paid tribute to the coaches, including Dronacharya awardee Vijay Sharma, acknowledging their vital role in developing champions.

Also Read:India Finishes Fourth with 39 Medals at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu created history by becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals. Meanwhile, Rishikanta Singh and Valluri Ajay Babu established new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch event, while Gyaneshwari Yadav and Harjinder Kaur delivered personal-best performances.

Also Read:CWG 2026 Day 10: Historic Moments and New Records

Highlighting the success of government-backed sports initiatives, Mandaviya said six of India's 11 weightlifters are Khelo India Athletes. He added that several medal winners, including Gyaneshwari Yadav, Bindyarani Devi and Harjinder Kaur, trained at the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, which has become a key hub for nurturing elite talent.

The Minister urged the athletes to visit schools and colleges to share their journeys and motivate young people to pursue sports. During the interaction, the athletes discussed their struggles, training experiences and preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, reaffirming their determination to win more medals for India.

Mandaviya also encouraged athletes who narrowly missed podium finishes, reminding them that setbacks are part of every sportsperson's journey and stressing the government's commitment to providing world-class training, scientific support and competitive opportunities through initiatives like Khelo India.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi praised India's women athletes for powering the country's campaign at the Commonwealth Games. She highlighted that women won eight of India's 13 gold medals across boxing, weightlifting, judo and para athletics, with five Indian women boxers claiming gold. She said their achievements reflect the growing strength of women's sports in India and continue to inspire young girls across the country.