Commonwealth Games (CWG) Glasgow 2026
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 1 Highlights: Jhandu Kumar wins India's first medal; Karthik Budigina, Ashok Kumar finish close 4th
India could win their first medal today at the 2026 Commonwealth Games
With a medal already assured even before things got underway at the Commonwealth Games 2026, India have made a perfect start to their campaign at Glasgow.
Adding to it, the lawn bowls contingent added cherry on top with impressive performance in their preliminary round matches.
While the Birmingham Games gold medallist duo of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki defeated Malta in their opening match, the more impressive result came in men’s singles where Putul Sonowal stunned three-time CWG medallist and reigning World Champion Ryan Bester of Canada in a tie-break.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: Updated day-wise India schedule for all sports
Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain then led the Indian contingent out in style at the opening ceremony to culminate a perfect day for India in Glasgow.
On Friday, athletes in swimming, artistic gymnastics, para-powerlifting and para-swimming will start their journey.
India's schedule for Day 1 of Commonwealth Games 2026!! 🇮🇳📃
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) July 24, 2026
After yesterday's stunning win, Putul Sonowal will once again be in action today while Srihari Natraj will start his campaign. 🤩https://t.co/s2Gvyb9DTy pic.twitter.com/FYeAloFCo1
The day will begin with the men’s artistic gymnastics team in action in Team event qualification. In lawn bowls, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki will return to face South Africa in the women’s pairs round match.
Para-weightlifters Ashok Kumar Malik, Parmjeet Kumar, Jaspreet Kaur, Suman Devi, Jhandu Kumar, and Sudhir will all contend for medals in their respective categories as will th para-swimmers should they qualify.
Boxer Jadumani Singh will start his campaign in the men’s 55kg round of 32.
India’s full schedule for July 24 (Friday) at Commonwealth Games 2026
14:30 IST — Artistic Gymnastics (Men’s Team Final & Individual Qualification)
Athletes: Tapan Mohanty, Swathish KP, Tapeshwarnath Das, Yogeshwar Singh
Stage: Qualification
Venue: The Arena
15:40 IST — Para-Swimming (Men’s 100m Freestyle S13)
Athletes: Ravi Veera Venkata Bhavani, Karthik Budigna, Imam Ali
Stage: Heat 1
Venue: Tollcross International Swimming Centre
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: Who are India’s medal contenders today, July 24 (Day 1)?
15:56 IST — Swimming (Men’s 50m Backstroke)
Athlete: Srihari Natraj
Stage: Heat 4
Venue: Tollcross International Swimming Centre
17:40 IST — Para-Powerlifting (Men’s Lightweight Final)
Athletes: Ashok, Parmjeet Kumar
Stage: Final
Venue: SEC Armadillo
19:24 IST — Para Powerlifting (Women’s Lightweight Final)
Athletes: Jaspreet Kaur, Suman Devi
Stage: Final
Venue: SEC Armadillo
19:30 IST — Lawn Bowls (Women’s Pairs)
Athletes: Pinki & Rupa Rani Tirkey
Stage: Sectional Play
Venue: Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
22:00 IST — Artistic Gymnastics (Men’s Team Final & Individual Qualification)
Athletes: Tapan Mohanty, Swathish KP, Tapeshwarnath Das, Yogeshwar Singh
Stage: Final
Venue: The Arena
22:20 IST — Lawn Bowls (Men’s Singles)
Athlete: Putul Sonowal
Stage: Sectional Play
Venue: Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
22:40 IST — Para-Powerlifting (Women’s Heavyweight)
Athlete: Kashturi Rajamani
Stage: Final
Venue: SEC Armadillo
23:00 IST — Boxing (Men’s 55kg)
Athlete: Jadumani Singh
Stage: Round of 32
Venue: SEC Centre
00:00 IST — Para-Swimming (Men’s 100m Freestyle S13)
Athlete: Ravi Veera Venkata, Bhavani Karthik Budigna, Inam Ali
Stage: Final
Venue: Tollcross International Swimming Centre
00:29 IST — Swimming (Men’s 50m Backstroke)
Athlete: Srihari Natraj
Stage: Semi-final
Venue: Tollcross International Swimming Centre
00:29 IST — Para-Powerlifting (Men’s Heavyweight)
Athlete: Sudhir, Jhandu Kumar
Stage: Final
Venue: SEC Armadillo
When will Day 1 begin at Commonwealth Games 2026?
India’s action on day 1 [July 24] will start at 2:30 pm IST, with the Artistic Gymnastics event.
Which Indian athletes will contend for medals on Day 1 of Commonwealth Games 2026?
Ashok and Parmjeet Kumar in the para-powerlifting men’s lightweight final, Jaspreet Kaur and Suman Devi in the women’s lightweight final, Sudhir Jhandu Kumar in men’s heavyweight final, Kashturi Rajamani in the women’s heavyweight final and para-swimmers Ravi Veera Venkata, Bhavani Karthik and Iman Ali will contend for medals.
How many medals can India win on Day 1 of Commonwealth Games 2026?
India can win more than 10 medals on Day 1 of the event, based on the number of athletes participating in medal events.
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