Mirabai Chanu secures third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal
India experienced a successful day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, adding one gold and two silver medals to its overall tally. This brought the total medal count to four. Indian boxers continued their strong performances, and the men’s swimming relay team reached another final.
Mirabai Chanu, an Olympic silver medallist, was a key performer for India on Day 4, achieving her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal. In weightlifting, Rishikanta Singh and Raja Muthupandi each secured silver medals. In boxing, Jadumani Singh advanced to the quarter-finals, and Preeti Pawar also moved forward with a stoppage victory. The men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team qualified for and competed in the final.
Chanu’s Golden Hat-trick in Weightlifting
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu reaffirmed her standing in Indian weightlifting by winning the gold medal in the women’s 48kg category. Despite an initial unsuccessful attempt, she delivered a dominant performance, achieving a combined lift of 190kg. She established a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with 85kg and lifted 105kg in the clean and jerk, securing the title.
This victory marks her third consecutive gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, following wins in 2018 and 2022. Her overall medal count at the Commonwealth Games now stands at four. The 31-year-old set new Commonwealth Games records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift. Her winning total was 22kg more than the silver medallist, Ruth Asuquo Nyong of Nigeria, who lifted 168kg.
During the clean and jerk, Mirabai Chanu also faced a moment of uncertainty with an unsuccessful opening attempt, but she successfully lifted 105kg on her second try. With the gold secured, she opted not to take her third attempt, considering the upcoming Asian Games.
Additional Weightlifting Success and Boxing Progress
Rishikanta Singh Chanambam earned a silver medal in the men’s 60kg event. The 28-year-old lifter from Manipur successfully lifted 116kg, 119kg, and 121kg in the snatch, with his best effort matching the Commonwealth Games record. He then lifted 143kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a total of 264kg. Muhammad Anik bin Kasdan of Malaysia won gold with a record total of 273kg, while Joshua Amunga Buoya of Kenya took bronze with 260kg.
Raja Muthupandi contributed another silver medal for India in weightlifting, competing in the men’s 65kg category. The lifter from Tamil Nadu recorded 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk, resulting in a combined total of 286kg. Muhamad Aznil Bin Bidin of Malaysia secured gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg, and Morea Baru of Papua New Guinea claimed bronze with 282kg. This silver medal marks a return to the podium for Muthupandi, who previously finished sixth in 2018.
In boxing, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam defeated Sumama Rehman of Pakistan with a unanimous 5-0 decision in the men’s 55kg Round of 16, advancing to the quarter-finals. Jadumani Singh will next compete against Ellis Trowbridge of England. Preeti Pawar also moved to the quarter-finals in the women’s 54kg Round of 16, defeating Deborah Mtenje of Malawi by referee stops contest (RSC). However, Aditya Pratap Yadav experienced a setback, losing to Nuhu Batte of Uganda by a 3-2 split decision in the men’s 65kg Round of 16.
Swimming and Other Events
India’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team, comprising Srihari Nataraj, Aryan Nehra, Aneesh Gowda, and Dhakshan Shashikumar, qualified for the final by finishing third in Heat 2. The team recorded a time of 7:39.48, placing behind Australia and England. They advanced as the sixth-fastest team overall from the heats. Later, the same quartet competed in the medal race and finished sixth in the Commonwealth Games final.
In lawn bowls, India faced a challenging day. Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh lost to Namibia in a women’s pairs sectional play tiebreak and subsequently to England, concluding their campaign in the event. Putul Sonowal also lost his men’s singles sectional play match against Shaun James Parnis of Malta. Artistic gymnast Tapan Mohanty finished 15th in the men’s all-around final. India’s women’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball team was defeated 21-4 by Scotland in Pool B.
India concluded Day 4 with a total of four medals: one gold, two silvers, and one bronze, with the boxing contingent continuing its momentum towards the quarter-final stage.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
