CWG 2026: India targeting 8-10 weightlifting medals, says coach Vijay Sharma
By Vipul Kashyap, Glasgow, July 23
India's weightlifting coach Vijay Sharma is hopeful of a strong medal haul at the Commonwealth Games 2026, targeting between eight and 10 medals from the country's 11-member contingent.
Speaking about India's medal prospects, Sharma said the team is working hard and is well prepared for the competition.
"There's certainly pressure because of the high expectations. However, the team is preparing diligently. With 11 athletes participating, I'm optimistic that we can secure between 8 to 10 medals," Sharma said to ANI.
He also said the pleasant weather conditions in Glasgow have helped the athletes, while the team's training camp in Birmingham played an important role in acclimatisation.
"The weather is actually quite pleasant. The Birmingham camp really helped the athletes adjust to these conditions. I'm expecting a very strong performance from them," he added.
Sharma also praised the support provided by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) during the team's preparations.
According to the coach, SAI and TOPS organised a 25-day camp in Birmingham, which helped the athletes acclimatise to the conditions and focus on their training.
"SAI and TOPS organised a 25-day camp for us in Birmingham. This has been instrumental in helping the athletes acclimatise and focus on their training. We've seen a significant improvement in their performance due to this camp, and I believe they will do exceptionally well and bring home as many medals as possible," Sharma said.
With 11 Indian weightlifters set to compete, the team will look to turn the high expectations into a strong medal haul at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's great to see the government investing in camps abroad, but I hope SAI is also paying attention to grassroots-level weightlifting. We have so much talent in small towns that never gets the right coaching or facilities. Maybe focus on building a strong pipeline too, not just the elite 11.
I'm impressed by the strategic planning—25-day camp in Birmingham to acclimatise is a solid approach. Indian weightlifting has come a long way. Mirabai Chanu's success really set a benchmark. Let's hope the entire team feels inspired and delivers. Best of luck to all the athletes! 💪
Expectations are high, but I've seen too many times where we hype things and then get disappointed. Let's not put too much pressure on the athletes. Just let them do their best. If they get 6 medals, that's still a solid performance. These are young people giving their all for the country. Jai Hind!
The Birmingham camp seems like a real game-changer. It's not just about training but also mental preparation and getting used to the environment. Coach Sharma knows his stuff. I'm excited to see how our lifters perform. Fingers crossed for double-digit medals! 🤞
Seriously, the weather? That's such an Indian thing to worry about. But I get it—our athletes train in humid heat, so Glasgow's pleasant conditions are a boon. Let's hope the training and acclimatisation pay off. India's weightlifting squad has genuine medal potential. Go get them, guys! 🇮
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