Commonwealth Games 2026: Who are India's medal contenders today, July 28 (Day 5)?
India are in pursuit of their third gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026
The fourth day of action at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow saw the Indian contingent build significantly on its momentum with stellar podium finishes and strong qualification runs.
Sharmila Dhankar scripted history by clinching India’s first-ever gold medal in para-athletics, while also playing a part in achieving India’s first double podium finish alongside Shilpa Shyla in the women’s shot put F57 event.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026 (CWG) Day 5 Live Updates
Her gold is also India’s first para-athletics medal in 20 years, while she is also now the first-ever woman medallist for India in para-athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile, weightlifting remained India’s primary medal engine, highlighted by Gynaeshwari Yadav clinching silver in the women’s 53kg category and Commonwealth Games medalist Bindyarani Devi securing a bronze in the women’s 58kg final with a total lift of 199kg.
Valluri Ajaya Babu followed with another silver in men’s 79kg weightlifting, after a thrilling two-way battle with Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad, who took gold with a Games record total of 331 kg. Valluri also finished with a Games Record of his own in Snatch, having lifted 149kg in his final attempt.
Over on the track and field, national record holder Sarvesh Kushare bagged his first CWG medal, with a silver in men’s high jump. While it was way short of his PB, Kushare finished second after clearing a height of 2.25m—same as the gold medal winner, Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford, who only clinched the gold medal on countback.
Meanwhile, Murali Sreeshankar made a statement in the men’s long jump qualification by clearing 8.01m on his first attempt to book a spot in the final alongside compatriot Lokesh Sathyanathan.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: India’s updated schedule for today Day 5 (July 28)
As we transition to Tuesday, July 28 (Day 5), the Indian campaign accelerates with high-stakes quarter-final clashes in boxing, alongside pivotal preliminary rounds in athletics, swimming, and lawn bowls. On the track, Rajesh Ramesh and Vishal TK open their 400m campaigns in the Round 1 heats.
Over in the pool, Sajan Prakash dives into the men’s 50m butterfly heats, Srihari Nataraj returns in the men’s 100m backstroke, and the para swimming duo of RVVBK Budigina and Imam Ali line up in the men’s 50m freestyle S13 heats.
On the rinks, Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar feature in the men’s pairs against the Cook Islands, while Nayonmani Saikia engages Wales in women’s singles play.
India’s medal contenders on July 28 (Day 5) at Commonwealth Games 2026
Direct hardware opportunities on Day 5 feature a dense lineup of medal events across boxing, weightlifting, athletics, and swimming.
Boxing – Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, Parveen Hooda, Jadumani Singh M, Kapil Pokhariya
The boxing ring serves as a major podium catalyst, where victories in the quarter-final round guarantee at least a bronze medal.
Preeti Pawar (Women’s 54kg vs Northern Ireland), Priya (Women’s 60kg vs Scotland), Parveen (Women’s 65kg vs England), Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (Men’s 55kg vs Zambia), and Kapil Pokhariya (Men’s 90kg vs Scotland) all step onto the canvas in high-stakes bouts.
All these pugilists will be assured of medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026 if they win their quarter-final bouts, as CWG awards medals to all losing semi-finalists.
Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2026: Updated medal tally after Day 4, July 27
Weightlifting – Nirupama Devi Seram, Harjinder Kaur
On the platform, Nirupama Devi Seram targets the podium in the Women’s 63kg final, while Harjinder Kaur takes centre stage in the Women’s 69kg final, seeking to add to India’s weightlifting tally.
Athletics – Pooja Singh, Gulveer Singh
Field events feature Pooja Singh leaps for honours in the Women’s High Jump Final, while distance runner Gulveer Singh caps off the track session in the Men’s 10,000m Final.
Para Swimming – Karthik Budigina and Ali Imam*
Karthik Budigina and Ali Iman have given decent performances in the competition earlier in different events. Budigina narrowly missed a medal at the men’s 100m freestyle S13 final after he finished fourth. On Tuesday, they will feature in the Men’s 50m Freestyle S13 event.
Swimming – Srihari Nataraj, Sajan Prakash*
In aquatics, clean morning heats from Sajan Prakash or Srihari Nataraj could land them in late-night swimming finals, rounding out a high-calibre Day 6 for India in Glasgow.
When will Day 5 (July 28) begin at the Commonwealth Games 2026?
India’s action on day 4 [July 27] of the Commonwealth Games 2026 will start at 3:26 pm IST, with swimming events.
Which Indian athletes will contend for medals on Day 5 of the Commonwealth Games 2026?
Nirupama Devi Seram and Harjinder Kaur will play their respective weightlifting finals. Meanwhile, Pooja Singh and Gulveer Singh will feature in athletics. Karthik Budigina, Ali Imam, Srihari Nataraj, and Sajan Prakash will play, hoping to reach the final first and put themselves in position to contest a medal match.
How many medals can India win on Day 5 of the Commonwealth Games 2026?
On Tuesday, India will have the opportunity to win eight medals if things go their way.
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Ankhi is a passionate sports journalist and content strategist, contributing to Khel Now since August 2023. With a love for sports that began at age three and a keen eye for storytelling, she combines creativity with journalistic integrity in her work.