Mirabai Chanu & Lovlina Borgohain named India's flag-bearers for Commonwealth Games 2026

The CWG 2026 will begin on July 23.

Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain will lead the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on July 23, where they will look to prove themselves once again.

The Indian Olympic Association said on Saturday that these two athletes will carry the national flag and serve as baton bearers at the opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro. They will lead India’s 126-member contingent at the start of the multi-sport tournament.

PT Usha, who is the President of the IOA, revealed this decision and said, “It is a matter of pride that Mirabai and Lovlina will be doing the honours at the OVO Hydro. I wish both the girls and the entire contingent good luck.”

This is a fitting tribute to both athletes, who have performed consistently at major tournaments. Mirabai clinched silver in the women’s 49kg category at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming only the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal. Lovlina won bronze, becoming only the third Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal.

From Tokyo victory to Glasgow glory

For Mirabai, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will offer another chance to add to her strong Commonwealth Games record. She won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after taking the same medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Games. She had also won gold at the 2017 World Championships and multiple medals at the next few editions.

After missing out on a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, Mirabai will enter the Glasgow Games aiming for a podium finish. She is one of India’s biggest sportspersons and has led the country’s weightlifting for almost 10 years.

Lovlina, too, will enter the 2026 Commonwealth Games after a strong run. Hailing from Assam, she switched from kickboxing at a young age. Since her breakthrough at the Tokyo Olympics, she has won gold at the 2023 World Championship and silver at the 2023 Asian Games.

However, she is still eyeing her first Commonwealth medal. The youngster will use this opportunity to compete for more medals and stamp her authority as one of the country’s best athletes.

The Commonwealth Games 2026 will begin on 23 July and run until 2 August, with athletes from all Commonwealth nations competing in one of the year’s biggest sporting events.

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