India achieved mixed results in Olympic sports in 2025, securing titles and medals at global and continental levels in shooting, boxing, athletics, archery, badminton, hockey, wrestling, and weightlifting, while also facing setbacks in various other sports.
Archery Success
In archery, the Indian men’s recurve team, comprising Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Atanu Das, won a silver medal at the 2025 World Cup. India excelled in the compound section as well, with the women’s team and Jyothi Surekha Vennam clinching silver medals in both team and individual competitions.
Summer World University Games
India performed admirably at the 2025 Summer World University Games, winning 12 medals, including two gold and five silver. This competition is the top multi-discipline, multi-nations event held this year.
Athletics Highlights
Neeraj Chopra made headlines as he aimed to defend his gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Although he did not retain his title, he breached the 90m mark in javelin throw with a throw of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League, securing a silver medal. He also won gold medals in the Golden Spike Ostrava and NC Classic, through which he became an event organiser, and earned silver in the 2025 Diamond League Final.
Badminton and Cricket Insights
Badminton saw mixed results; apart from the top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, other players struggled to achieve consistency and medal wins. Conversely, cricket provided a major uplift to Indian sport, with the men’s team winning the Champions Trophy and the women making history by clinching their maiden ODI World Cup at home.
Weightlifting Achievements
Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu bagged gold in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships held in Ahmedabad, lifting a record-breaking total of 193 kg. Additionally, Priteesmita Bhoi and Dharamjyoti Dewghariya won gold medals in the women’s 44–48 kg and men’s 56–60 kg events, respectively.
Para-Sports Triumphs
India excelled in para-sports as well, winning six gold medals at the first World Para Athletics Championships held in India, finishing with 22 medals overall. However, as 2025 wraps up, the year 2026 brings new challenges in multi-disciplinary sports.
2026 Commonwealth Games Preview
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, the 23rd edition, will be organized in Glasgow, which previously hosted the Games in 2014, where India won 64 medals, including 15 gold. Performing well in the 2026 Glasgow edition will be challenging as it will feature a scaled-down version of the usual Games.
The Games will run from July 23 to August 2, featuring competitions in 10 sports: athletics, 3×3 basketball, bowls, boxing, gymnastics, judo, netball, swimming, track cycling, and weightlifting.
Impact of Sport Changes
A notable issue affecting India’s medal tally in 2026 is the absence of sports like shooting, badminton, table tennis, and wrestling, which India has historically excelled in at the Commonwealth level. These sports are not included in the 10 events on the programme; instead, the schedule features sports that are not India’s strong points. As a result, the overall medals available will be fewer than usual.
The Indian contingent will approach Glasgow with tempered expectations, as competitions will be held in athletics (43 disciplines) and para-athletics (16), alongside events like 3×3 basketball for men and women, bowls and para bowls, boxing, gymnastics, judo, netball, swimming, and track cycling.
Furthermore, some track events and cycling disciplines have been eliminated, with several sports formats undergoing changes. For instance, athletics will include a mixed 4x400m race, and the mile will replace the 1500m discipline.
Despite the reduced number of sports and disciplines possibly impacting India’s medal count, a strong performance in Glasgow is crucial as India is the sole bidder for the 2030 Games, with Ahmedabad recommended as the host city by the Commonwealth Sport executive board.
Glasgow 2026 will provide India with a significant test for the new competitions and increased funding. It is now up to the athletes to deliver results on the global stage.