Commonwealth Games 2026: In the Commonwealth Games 2026, Indian weightlifters have once again introduced the world to their strength and high spirits. Manipur’s Rishikant Singh Chanambam created history by coming out of poverty and labor to win a silver medal, while Mirabai Chanu controlled her weight by starving for two days and then brought glory to the country by winning the gold medal for the third consecutive time. This success is not just limited to the goal of winning medals, but it has also become an example of struggle, discipline and the spirit of never giving up. This is the reason why today his story is gaining popularity by becoming an inspiration for millions of youth.
Commonwealth silver medal on the neck of a boy who washes utensils in a dhaba
When Rishikant Singh arrived for dinner after winning the silver medal in Glasgow, he was reminded of his past after seeing the staff working in the hotel kitchen. There was a time when he used to wash utensils, fetch water in a roadside dhaba near Imphal, Manipur and work as a laborer at construction sites in the evening. He used to get only Rs 150 for a whole day’s hard work. Due to which the family survived. Today, the same youth has become an inspiration for crores of people by winning a Commonwealth Games medal for India.
Sports showed a new path amidst poverty
Rishikant’s life changed when a sports teacher noticed him at a village fair. At the age of just 12, he got a chance to trial at SAI Academy in Khuman Lompak. There he was selected for both boxing and weightlifting, but coach S. Brojendra Singh advised him to choose weightlifting considering his strength and ability. This decision later proved to decide the direction of his entire career.
Got full bread for the first time in sports hostel
After reaching the Sports Academy, the biggest change in Rishikant’s life was that he started getting regular food. Due to financial constraints, earlier he had to get old shoes and belts stitched again and again. Despite this he never stopped practicing. For him, sports was not only a means to win medals, but also a way out of poverty.
When I had to leave the game due to financial constraints
At the age of 18, the poor financial condition of his family turned him away from weightlifting. He left the practice for almost a year because he felt that it was not possible to progress in the sport without financial support. Amidst the responsibilities of the family, he started seeing his dream coming crashing down.
One phone call changed my whole life
Meanwhile, a call came from Sunil Ilangbam, the then secretary of Manipur Weightlifting Association. He advised Rishikant to give a trial at the ‘Weightlifting Center of Excellence’ located in Takyel. After being selected his confidence returned. In 2019 he became the national champion. Then he won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Championship in Samoa and also got a job in the Indian Navy in the same year. After getting financial security, he did not look back and now by winning a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games, he became the first male weightlifter from Manipur to win a medal in this competition.
Even after success, don’t forget the days of struggle
Rishikant Singh says that this medal belongs to his parents and siblings, who did not abandon him even in difficult times. He also said that the first thing he would do is call his old friend who worked with him at the dhaba. He hopes that his medal will definitely be discussed today in the restaurant where he once washed utensils. His dream now is also to help the economically weaker youth. So that no talent is left behind just because of lack of money.
Mirabai Chanu again showed her passion to become a champion
Mirabai Chanu, who won India’s first gold medal in the Commonwealth Games, once again proved that there is no substitute for hard work and discipline. In the women’s 48 kg category, she won the gold medal by lifting 85 kg in snatch and 105 kg in clean and jerk with a total weight of 190 kg. Her performance was so great that the second placed player was 22 kg behind her.
Didn’t lose courage even after being hungry for two days
To maintain her weight, Mirabai Chanu did not eat anything for two consecutive days. His first snatch attempt in the competition was unsuccessful, but instead of panicking, he made a great comeback. Even in clean and jerk, his first attempt was not successful, but in the second attempt he almost ensured the gold medal by lifting 105 kg. After this, keeping in mind the preparation for the Asian Games, he did not make the third attempt.
tricolor hair clip made patriotism someone’s identification
Mirabai Chanu herself made a butterfly-shaped hair clip from ribbons in the colors of the Indian tricolor the night before the competition. She said that she wanted to do something special for India. During the medal ceremony, when the tricolor hoisted at the top and the national anthem was played, tears of joy came out of his eyes. For him, it was not just a gold medal but a proud moment of honor for the country.
Mirabai’s brilliant career is full of achievements
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and world champion Mirabai Chanu now has three gold and one silver medals to her name in the Commonwealth Games. His world record in clean and jerk, set at the 2021 Asian Weightlifting Championships, also stood for a long time. Honors like Padmashree and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna are among his illustrious ones.
Indian weightlifting increased the pride of the country
India’s medal count has increased to four due to the excellent performance of Indian weightlifters in the Commonwealth Games 2026. The country has one gold, two silver and one bronze medals in its account, with which India has reached the eighth position in the medal table. These successes have made it clear that Indian weightlifting is continuously moving towards new heights.
