Rajnath Singh lauds athletes from armed forces who won medals at Glasgow CWG

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday here commended the strong willpower and firm conviction of the Indian defence forces for overcoming physical and mental pressure and making the nation proud at an international sporting event.

Making this assertion while felicitating the Services medal winners at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, Glasgow, he termed the achievement as “extraordinary.”

Of the total 39 medals - 13 Gold, 17 Silver and 09 Bronze - won by India during the Games, the Indian Defence Forces personnel claimed 18 medals (16 by Indian Army and 02 by Indian Navy). Rajnath Singh said these sportspersons are a source of inspiration to the people, particularly the youth, as they are a “perfect blend of a soldier and a champion”. On women pugilists securing 04 of the 06 Gold medals in Boxing, the defence minister stated that the feat is a testimony to India’s growing Nari Shakti. The achievement will motivate more girls to pursue the sport and join the defence forces, he added. Rajnath Singh acknowledged the fact that Indian champions are emerging from every corner of the country, highlighting that today the field of sports has been democratised, and it is no longer the exclusive privilege of a select few. He extended his best wishes to the athletes for upcoming events such as the Asian Games and the Olympics. Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth and other senior Indian Army officials attended the event. The campaign of the Indian Army contingent at 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games witnessed a number of firsts and records.

These include: Naib Subedar Sarvesh Kushare won India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games Silver Medal in High Jump, a landmark achievement in Indian athletics. Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two athletics medals at a single Commonwealth Games, securing Silver in the 10,000 metres and Bronze in the 5,000 metres. Havildar Harsh, competing in the 60 kg category, won India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games Gold Medal in Judo, opening a new chapter for the sport in the country. Subedar Soman Rana and Lance Naik Shubham Juyal created history by securing India’s first-ever Gold and Silver medals in Para Shot put at the Commonwealth Games.

In Weightlifting, Havildar Ajaya Babu produced a record-breaking performance in the 79 kg category, registering a Games Record of 149 kg in the Snatch and an impressive total lift of 330 kg. In Boxing, the Indian Army made a historic contribution to an unprecedented national achievement by breaking the 100 year old English Record. India won a total of seven Gold medals, the highest number won by any nation in Boxing at a single edition of the Games. Of these 07 Gold and 03 Silver medals, Indian Army pugilists claimed 06 Gold and 02 Silver.

The list of the Indian defence forces personnel who brought laurels to the country at Glasgow is as follows:

Gold Medal Winners

Hav Sakshi - Boxing (51 kgs)

Nb Sub Preeti - Boxing (54 kgs)

Nb Sub Jasmine - Boxing (67 kgs)

Hav Arundhati Chaudhary - Boxing (70 kgs)

Hav Sachin Sewach - Boxing (60 kgs)

Hav Ankush - Boxing (80 kgs)

Hav Harsh Singh - Judo (60 kgs)

Sub Soman Rana - Para Shot Put (F-57).

Silver Medal Winners

Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra - Javelin Throw

Nb Sub Sarvesh - High Jump

Hav Jadumani Singh - Boxing (55 kgs)

Sub Narinder - Boxing (90 kgs)

Hav Ajaya Babu - Weightlifting (79 kgs)

Nb Sub Gulveer - 10,000 m

L/Nk Shubham Juyal - Para Shot Put (F-57)

CPO COM(TEL) Lovepreet Singh - Weightlifting (+110 kgs)

CPO (PT) Chanambam Rishikanta Singh - Weightlifting (60 kgs)

Bronze Medal Winner

Nb Sub Gulveer - 5,000 m.