India’s chief weightlifting coach Vijay Sharma has expressed confidence in the country’s chances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, saying the team has the potential to win between eight and 10 medals in Glasgow.
The coach said the Indian lifters have trained hard over the past few weeks and are fully prepared to perform on the biggest stage of the Commonwealth Games.
Vijay Sharma Confident of Strong Medal Haul
Speaking to ANI, Sharma admitted that expectations from the team are high. However, he believes the athletes are ready to handle the pressure.
“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.
India has sent an 11-member weightlifting contingent to the Games, and the coaching staff expects several lifters to compete for podium finishes across different weight categories.
Birmingham Training Camp Boosted Preparation
Sharma credited the team’s preparation to a 25-day training camp in Birmingham, which helped the athletes adjust to local weather conditions before arriving in Glasgow.
According to the coach, the camp allowed the lifters to focus entirely on training while adapting to the climate and competition environment.
“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 said.
The early preparation is expected to give Indian lifters an advantage as the competition begins.
SAI and TOPS Played a Key Role
Sharma also praised the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for supporting the team’s preparations.
He said both organisations ensured that the athletes received everything they needed before the Games, including the extended training camp in Birmingham.
“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,” Sharma said.
He added that the camp has led to noticeable improvements in the athletes’ performances.
“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,” he added.
Mirabai Chanu Leads India’s Gold Medal Hopes
India’s biggest medal hope in weightlifting remains Mirabai Chanu, who will compete in the women’s 48kg final on Sunday, July 26, at 6:30 pm IST.
The Olympic silver medallist will be aiming to win her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal, further strengthening her remarkable record at the event.
With experienced lifters and several promising athletes in the squad, India will look to deliver one of its strongest weightlifting performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.