PT Usha hails ‘Nari Shakti’ as India women lead CWG 2026

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha hailed India’s women athletes for leading the country’s Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign in Glasgow, after they claimed eight of India’s 13 gold medals. In an IOA release, Usha said the medal haul reflected years of dedication and sacrifice, while also inspiring a new generation of girls to dream of representing India on the world stage.

“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 the release.

The statement underlined how India’s women have taken the lead in the nation’s medal success in Glasgow, pointing to growing depth and consistency across multiple disciplines.

Eight golds that shaped India’s CWG 2026 campaign

Among the standout gold-medal performances highlighted in the release was Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu, who won another Commonwealth Games gold in weightlifting, reinforcing her status as one of India’s top athletes.

In para athletics, Sharmila Dhankar delivered what was described as a brilliant performance to win gold in the women’s shot put. The release also noted a landmark moment in judo, with Asmita Dey making history as India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist.

India’s most significant showing, according to the release, came in the boxing ring. Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas and Arundhati Choudhary all won gold, a sweep that was presented as evidence of the depth Indian women’s boxing has developed over the past decade.

Together, these eight champions were credited with changing the course of India’s campaign in Glasgow. The release framed their success as a sign that Indian women are no longer occasional medal contenders, but consistent winners at the international level.

Beyond the podium finishes, the IOA release connected the results to broader changes in Indian sport. It cited greater investment in grassroots development, improved access to training facilities, and a stronger support system for athletes as key factors contributing to an environment in which talent can thrive.

The achievements were also linked to a wider national focus on women’s empowerment, including efforts to get more girls involved in sport and initiatives aimed at improving representation and opportunities for women in society. The release noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has supported women athletes by praising their achievements and encouraging young girls to aim for sporting excellence.

The IOA release also pointed to the example set by India’s women throughout the Games, saying they advised younger teammates and celebrated each other’s achievements, strengthening the unity that has become a characteristic feature of Team India.

Why the CWG 2026 women’s gold rush matters

Usha’s message positioned the eight gold medals as more than a tally, emphasising the ripple effect of visible success. With Mirabai Chanu, Sharmila Dhankar, Asmita Dey, Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Priya Ghanghas and Arundhati Choudhary all standing atop the podium, the release said millions of young girls across homes, schools and sports academies have seen what is possible in Indian sport.

As India’s women spearhead the gold-medal count in Glasgow, the IOA’s framing of “Nari Shakti” underscores a shift in expectations: from hoping for breakthroughs to building a culture of consistent international success across disciplines.