Rishikant secured the silver medal after lifting a combined total of 264 kilograms, finishing behind Malaysia's Aniq Kasdan. Although the medal added another significant achievement to India's weightlifting campaign, it also highlighted the remarkable journey that brought the young lifter to the international stage.

Watching the competition from Barmer in Rajasthan, where he is posted with the Indian Army, Rishikant's elder brother Amarjeet Singh became emotional as each successful lift brought his sibling closer to the podium. For the family, the medal represented much more than sporting success—it was the reward for years of struggle, determination and collective sacrifice.

According to Amarjeet, Rishikant's sporting journey began around 2007–08 when a school teacher informed the family about a sports academy run by the Manipur government. At the time, Rishikant wanted to pursue boxing. However, during the selection trials, coaches recognised his physical potential and advised him to switch to weightlifting, a decision that would eventually transform his career.

The family's financial condition during those years was extremely difficult. Amarjeet recalled that their father struggled with alcohol addiction, leaving their mother to shoulder most household responsibilities. The family, consisting of two brothers and two sisters, decided to fully support Rishikant after he won his first medal in a regional competition in northeast India.

From 2009 to 2012, Rishikant's mother and both sisters reportedly worked as agricultural labourers in other people's fields to earn enough money for his nutrition and training expenses. Although hostel facilities covered basic meals, specialised weightlifting training required additional nutritional support and supplements that the family struggled to afford.

Whenever Rishikant returned home from training, he joined his family in manual labour to contribute to household income. Despite the physical demands of competitive sport, he remained closely connected to the family's daily struggles.

Financial challenges continued as Rishikant progressed through the ranks. When he earned selection for his first junior international competition, the family did not have sufficient funds to finance the trip. Amarjeet said he borrowed money from friends to ensure his younger brother could represent India. Similar financial assistance was arranged several times to support Rishikant's training, diet and travel requirements during the early years of his career.

The family's resilience was tested again earlier this year when Rishikant's father was diagnosed with blood cancer after medical examinations at AIIMS Jodhpur. Despite the emotional and financial burden of ongoing treatment, the family deliberately chose not to seek financial assistance from Rishikant, fearing that it might affect his Commonwealth Games preparation.

Amarjeet explained that Rishikant repeatedly offered to contribute towards medical expenses after securing employment with the Indian Navy. However, the family declined his help, insisting that his focus should remain entirely on training and maintaining the demanding nutritional regimen required for elite weightlifting.

Personal sacrifices extended beyond financial hardship. As the youngest member of the family, Rishikant was unable to attend either of his sisters' weddings because they coincided with important competitions and training commitments. He visited home only after fulfilling his sporting responsibilities.

Although delighted with the silver medal, Amarjeet admitted that the family still wonders whether they could have done more to help Rishikant reach the top step of the podium. He believes that if financial constraints had been fewer during his formative years, perhaps the result might have been different.

The family's own ambitions were also reshaped by circumstances. Amarjeet abandoned his higher education after Class 12 to support the household, while the family's dream of seeing one of the sisters become a doctor also remained unfulfilled due to financial limitations.

Today, however, they take pride in seeing Rishikant graduate, represent India on the international stage and inspire countless young athletes from modest backgrounds. His Commonwealth Games silver medal stands not only as a personal sporting achievement but also as a tribute to the resilience of a family that refused to let poverty stand in the way of a dream.

While Samanta kept India's hopes alive in the apparatus event, the rest of the contingent fell short of advancing. Experienced gymnast Pranati Nayak narrowly missed out after scoring 12.555, finishing 11th overall and ending up as the third reserve for the final. Fellow Indian gymnasts Ishita Rewale and Nishka Agrawal finished 15th and 19th respectively, ending their campaigns in the qualification stage.

India also failed to make an impact in the women's all-around competition. Samanta registered a combined score of 42.250 to finish 27th, while Rewale placed 28th with 41.700 points. Neither gymnast progressed to the all-around final.

In the team standings, India accumulated 123 points to finish ninth. Australia dominated the competition to win the gold medal with 158.400 points, while Canada secured silver with 157.300. Hosts England completed the podium after claiming bronze with 154.300 points.

Despite the disappointment in the team and all-around events, Samanta's qualification has ensured India will still be represented in the women's vault medal round, where she will look to challenge some of the Commonwealth's strongest gymnasts.

UTT Season 7: U Mumba TT Storm Into Second Straight Final

Defending champions U Mumba TT booked their place in the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 final after defeating HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades 8-3 in the second semi-final in Goa.

Captain Manush Shah and Anna Hursey starred in the victory. The pair opened strongly by defeating Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ayhika Mukherjee 3-0 in the mixed doubles before Shah sealed the tie with a commanding straight-games win over Bhattacharjee in the men's singles.

Hursey emerged as one of the standout performers, winning five of the six games she played across women's singles and mixed doubles. Shah was equally dominant, remaining unbeaten across all five games in his two matches.

The victory sends U Mumba into their second consecutive UTT final, where they will face Dempo Goa Challengers in the title clash.

India Defeat Pakistan to Win Gold at FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship

India's sub-junior men's hockey team produced a clinical display to defeat Pakistan 3-1 in the final of the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat, Oman, clinching the continental gold medal.

Goals from Romit Pal, captain Ketan Kushwaha, and Shahrukh Ali guided India to victory as the side completed the tournament unbeaten.

India's sub-junior women's team also impressed, reaching the final before settling for the silver medal after losing to China.

Both the men's and women's teams had already secured qualification for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup by reaching their respective finals, making the campaign a significant success for Indian hockey.

Following the triumph, Hockey India announced financial rewards for both squads. Every member of the gold medal-winning men's team will receive ₹2 lakh, while each support staff member will be awarded ₹1 lakh. Players from the women's silver medal-winning team will receive ₹1 lakh each, with every support staff member set to get ₹50,000.

India's performances across gymnastics, table tennis and hockey capped another encouraging day for the country's athletes, highlighted by a Commonwealth Games final berth, a UTT title opportunity and a continental hockey gold.

Carrying the Indian tricolour, the two decorated athletes walked at the front of the delegation during the traditional Parade of Nations, marking the official beginning of India's campaign at the Games. The ceremony was attended by Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with the monarch formally declaring the Commonwealth Games open.

The opening ceremony combined Scotland's rich cultural heritage with music, dance and visual performances, giving thousands of spectators inside the arena a glimpse of the country's traditions. A performance featuring Scotland's iconic bagpipes, alongside contemporary cultural presentations, set the tone before athletes from all 74 participating nations and territories marched into the arena.

For India, the event carried additional significance as the country's athletes had already begun their campaign before the official opening ceremony. The early results provided an encouraging start, with Indian competitors registering victories in lawn bowls.

Puttul Sonowal produced one of the standout performances by defeating reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada in the singles event. In the women's doubles competition, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinky opened their campaign with a hard-fought victory over Malta's Rebecca Lewis Rickson and Connie-Leigh Rickson in a tie-break.

The Indian contingent entered the Games with expectations across several disciplines, including athletics, boxing, weightlifting and lawn bowls. Although the programme has been reduced compared to previous editions, Indian athletes remain among the leading medal contenders in several events.

One of the country's biggest medal hopes, Lovlina Borgohain, has already assured herself of at least a bronze medal. Competing in the women's 75kg boxing category, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist received a direct entry into the semi-finals, guaranteeing a podium finish regardless of the outcome of her next bout.

Mirabai Chanu, meanwhile, returns to the Commonwealth Games as one of India's most successful weightlifters. A former Commonwealth champion and Olympic silver medallist, she will once again be expected to challenge for the top honours in her category.

The opening ceremony itself marked a historic occasion for Glasgow. For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, the event was staged entirely inside the OVO Hydro Arena rather than a traditional outdoor stadium. The venue welcomed around 13,000 spectators who witnessed a blend of sporting celebration and Scottish cultural performances.

Following the arrival of King Charles and Queen Camilla, the British national anthem, God Save the King, was performed before the Parade of Nations commenced. Athletes from across the Commonwealth then marched into the arena, with the host nation Scotland entering last to loud applause from the home crowd.

India has sent a 125-member squad to compete across ten sports during the Games, which run from July 23 to August 2. Despite the absence of several medal-rich disciplines from this edition, the contingent will be aiming to maintain India's strong record at the Commonwealth Games.

Officials are optimistic that athletes in boxing, athletics, weightlifting and lawn bowls can deliver podium finishes, while younger competitors will also look to make an impression on the international stage.

With the opening ceremony complete and competition already underway in several events, India's focus now shifts fully to the medal race as the Glasgow Games enter their first full day of action.

The projections reportedly estimate that India may secure around 32 medals across Olympic and para-sport events combined, including only seven gold medals. If that prediction proves accurate, it would represent a significant decline compared to the country's performances over the last two decades, during which India consistently emerged as one of the leading nations at the Commonwealth Games.

One of the biggest surprises in the assessment is the position of Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra.

Despite being India's most successful track-and-field athlete and a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Chopra has reportedly not been identified as a clear favourite for gold in Glasgow. The projection reflects growing concerns over the increasingly competitive field in men's javelin throw rather than any doubt about his credentials.

Chopra won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and later became India's first Olympic athletics champion. However, officials tracking international performances believe the challenge in Glasgow could be tougher than in previous editions. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who has emerged as one of the world's leading javelin throwers, is expected to be among the strongest contenders. Australian athletes, including Cameron McIntyre, are also being viewed as potential medal threats.

The concerns surrounding India's projected medal tally extend well beyond individual athletes.

A major reason for the anticipated decline is the composition of the Glasgow 2026 sports programme itself.

Several disciplines that have traditionally contributed heavily to India's medal count will not be part of the Games. Shooting, wrestling and badminton—sports that have consistently delivered podium finishes for India—have been excluded from the Glasgow programme. Their absence is being viewed as a significant blow to India's medal prospects.

The impact becomes clearer when recent results are examined.

At the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022, India won 61 medals. Around half of those medals came from sports that are not scheduled to feature in Glasgow. Disciplines such as shooting, wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey, squash and cricket have either been removed or are not part of the reduced programme.

Glasgow 2026 will feature only 10 sports compared with 19 in Birmingham, dramatically reducing opportunities for countries that rely on a broad range of medal-winning disciplines.

Sports administrators believe this structural change alone could lead to a substantial fall in India's overall tally.

Performance concerns in certain events have added to the uncertainty.

Boxing remains one of India's traditional strengths, with athletes such as Lovlina Borgohain expected to challenge for medals. However, recent performances have not always matched expectations, prompting a more cautious outlook from analysts preparing medal forecasts.

Similar questions exist around several other established Indian athletes. While many remain capable of winning medals, internal assessments suggest that predicting gold medals has become increasingly difficult due to stronger global competition and fluctuating form.

Another challenge is the nature of the sports that remain on the programme.

Swimming, cycling, judo, netball and gymnastics are among the disciplines where India has historically struggled to compete with traditional powerhouses. While Indian athletes have made progress in some of these sports, they have not yet become reliable medal sources at major multi-sport events.

That reality has contributed to fears that India's medal count could fall to levels not seen since the late 1990s.

Despite concerns surrounding Glasgow, sports officials remain optimistic about the long-term picture.

Attention is already turning toward the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which India is expected to host in Ahmedabad. Early discussions suggest the event could feature between 15 and 17 sports, potentially allowing the return of shooting, wrestling, badminton and other disciplines where India traditionally excels.

Such an expansion would significantly improve India's medal prospects and could transform the country into one of the dominant forces of the Games once again.

For now, however, Glasgow 2026 presents a very different challenge. With fewer events, stronger competition and several medal-rich sports absent from the programme, India may be forced to rely on a smaller group of elite performers to avoid its weakest Commonwealth Games performance in nearly 28 years.

Kujur finished second in the final behind South Africa's R. Mlenga, who won the race with a time of 10.03 seconds. Despite narrowly missing the top spot, the Indian sprinter's timing attracted significant attention as it improved his own record for the fastest 100m run by an Indian athlete outside the country.

The performance also places Kujur among the fastest Indian sprinters in history. His 10.14-second run is now the second-fastest legal time ever recorded by an Indian in the men's 100m event. Only Gurindervir Singh's national record of 10.09 seconds, set earlier this year at the Federation Cup in Ranchi, remains ahead of him.

Indian sprinting has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent months. During the Federation Cup in May, the national record changed hands multiple times within a span of 24 hours. Gurindervir Singh initially improved the mark with a run of 10.17 seconds, surpassing Kujur's previous best. Kujur responded almost immediately by clocking 10.15 seconds. The following day, Gurindervir raised the bar again with a record-breaking 10.09-second effort.

That sequence highlighted the growing competitiveness within Indian sprinting, a discipline that has historically struggled to match international standards. Kujur's latest achievement in Germany further strengthens the belief that Indian athletes are steadily narrowing the gap with global competitors.

The athlete from Chhattisgarh has been one of India's most consistent performers over the last two seasons. Known for his explosive starts and strong acceleration phase, he has steadily reduced his race timings through dedicated training and exposure to international competitions.

His latest performance comes at an important stage of the athletics calendar, with preparations underway for major multi-sport events. Kujur has already secured a place in India's squad for the 100m and 200m events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Following the competition in Germany, he is expected to join the Indian athletics team's training camp in Spala, Poland, before heading to Glasgow for the Games.

Athletics experts believe regular participation in high-level European meets is helping Indian sprinters gain valuable experience against stronger fields. Competing against international athletes not only improves race temperament but also exposes runners to faster conditions and higher competitive standards.

While Kujur's 10.14-second run did not break the national record, it underlined his growing consistency and ability to deliver on the international stage. The result also adds momentum to India's sprinting programme at a time when the country is seeking greater success in track events beyond its traditional strengths in field disciplines.

The world record in the men's 100m remains 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaican legend Usain Bolt at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin. Although Indian sprinters still have ground to cover before reaching those levels, performances from athletes such as Animesh Kujur and Gurindervir Singh suggest that the country's sprinting standards are moving in a positive direction.

With the Commonwealth Games approaching and several major international competitions on the horizon, Indian athletics will be watching closely to see whether Kujur can continue his rapid progression and challenge for even faster times in the months ahead.

Indian shooting legend Jaspal Rana breathed his last at the age of 49 on Friday morning at Max Hospital, Saket in the national capital. The news sent shockwaves through the Indian shooting community, particularly affecting his star pupil Manu Bhaker, who left a national training camp competition midway upon learning of her coach’s demise.

According to officials, Rana had fallen ill on a flight while returning from Munich on the night of June 1. He received initial medical attention abroad but was admitted to the Delhi hospital upon arrival, where doctors inserted a stent following cardiac evaluations. National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Kalikesh Narayan confirmed the passing.

Sudden Health Setback  

Rana reportedly experienced chest pain during the ISSF World Cup in Munich, initially dismissing it as acidity. His brother Subhash Rana told reporters that the discomfort intensified on the journey back, leading to immediate hospitalisation in Delhi. Despite medical intervention, the veteran coach could not recover.

Manu Bhaker’s Emotional Exit  

The tragedy hit hardest for Tokyo and Paris Olympian Manu Bhaker, who was competing in the 25-metre pistol event at the national training camp in Dehradun. Family members said they delayed informing her for several hours as she was mid-competition. Around 10 AM, when told of Rana’s death, Bhaker’s pistol reportedly slipped from her hand. She stood motionless for moments before sitting on the ground, visibly distraught, and abandoned the match. She has since postponed all her sporting commitments to travel directly from Dehradun to pay her final respects.

Bhaker won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics under Rana’s guidance as India’s high-performance coach for the 25m pistol event, a role he had held since February 2025.

Illustrious Career as Competitor  

Before transitioning to coaching, Rana carved out one of the most decorated careers in Indian shooting history. He secured eight medals at the Asian Games, including four golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. At the Commonwealth Games, he won 15 medals across four editions (1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006), with nine of them gold.

His standout moment came at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, where he clinched three gold medals and equalled the world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol. Even earlier, at just 18, he announced his arrival by winning gold at the 1994 Milan World Shooting Championship in the junior category with a world-record score, despite competing in severe pain from a knee abscess that had burst the previous night. That same year, he also earned a gold at the Hiroshima Asian Games and received the Arjuna Award.

Inspired by Father, Early Start  

Rana’s journey into shooting began at the age of ten, inspired by his father Narayan Singh Rana, an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel. He started practising with both pistol and rifle but later specialised in pistol events. By age 11-12, he was already competing at state and national levels, winning a silver medal at the 31st National Shooting Championship in Ahmedabad at just 12 years old.

Tributes Pour In  

Leaders and sporting icons expressed profound grief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a condolence message on X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute in Hindi. Former cricketer and current Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir called Rana a “stalwart of Indian Sports” whose passing left a “huge void.” 

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra described him as a teammate who helped shape Indian shooting. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge termed him “a towering figure in Indian sport and one of our greatest shooting champions.”

Legacy Beyond Medals  

Beyond his personal achievements, Rana made a lasting impact as a junior team coach and high-performance trainer. His guidance helped elevate India’s pistol shooting standards on the global stage, with Manu Bhaker’s Paris success standing as recent testimony to his methods.

The Indian shooting fraternity now mourns not just a champion athlete but a mentor who bridged generations. As tributes continue to flow, Rana’s contributions are being remembered as foundational to the country’s rising stature in the sport.