Union Sports Minister Honoured Weightlifting, Boxing, Judo and Para-Athletics Medal Winners in New Delhi With Rewards of Up to Rs 30 Lakh
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated India's Commonwealth Games 2026 weightlifting medallists in New Delhi on August 3, presenting cash awards of Rs 30 lakh to gold medallists, Rs 20 lakh to silver medallists and Rs 10 lakh to bronze medallists, according to the Tribune and DD India.
Indian weightlifters competed in 11 weight categories at Glasgow and returned with eight medals — one gold, six silver and one bronze — in what the Tribune described as one of the country's strongest campaigns at the Games. Mirabai Chanu, an Olympic silver medallist, won her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold, while Rishikanta Singh and Valluri Ajay Babu both set Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, per the Tribune's report.
Six of the 11 weightlifters were Khelo India athletes, and several medallists train at the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, DD India reported.
Won a third straight Commonwealth Games gold, an Olympic silver medallist.
Both set Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, per the Tribune.
Delivered personal-best performances, DD India reported.
A day later, on August 4, Mandaviya felicitated the boxing, judo and para-athletics contingents at the same New Delhi venue with an identical award structure — Rs 30 lakh for gold, Rs 20 lakh for silver and Rs 10 lakh for bronze — according to Telangana Today.
Boxing brought India seven gold and three silver medals, which Telangana Today reported as the best-ever Commonwealth Games showing by Indian women boxers. Judo produced historic first-ever Commonwealth Games golds for Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh, with the contingent finishing with two gold, one silver and one bronze overall.
At the weightlifting felicitation, Mandaviya urged athletes to "become ambassadors of sports" by visiting educational institutions to share their journeys with young people, according to DD India. He also paid tribute to coaches, singling out Dronacharya awardee Vijay Sharma for what he called an indispensable role in shaping champions, the Tribune reported.
Addressing the boxing, judo and para-athletics medallists a day later, Mandaviya said, "Let us not just win a Commonwealth Games medal with the aim of getting a government job. I urge all of you to run sports academies once you retire from your active career," according to Telangana Today. He also told the athletes, "I want all of you to use this morale boost to win more gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games," and reminded them, "None of you should ever forget the contribution of your coaches."
Athletes urged to visit schools and colleges and share their journeys with students.
Mandaviya asked medallists to carry their 'morale boost' into the 2026 Asian Games.
Telangana Today reported that Mandaviya linked the felicitation to the expanded Khelo India scheme, which has received a Rs 36,000-crore investment, and encouraged medallists to consider setting up sports academies after their competitive careers end.
The felicitation ceremonies come as India processes a fourth-place, 39-medal finish at Glasgow 2026 and turns its attention to hosting the centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030.
Mandaviya presented Rs 30 lakh to gold medallists, Rs 20 lakh to silver medallists and Rs 10 lakh to bronze medallists across the weightlifting, boxing, judo and para-athletics felicitation ceremonies.
Weightlifters including Mirabai Chanu, Rishikanta Singh and Valluri Ajay Babu were felicitated first, followed a day later by the boxing, judo and para-athletics medallists.
Indian weightlifters won eight medals — one gold, six silver and one bronze — across 11 weight categories.
He urged them to mentor young athletes, visit schools and colleges to inspire students, consider running sports academies after retirement, and carry their form into the 2026 Asian Games.
Indian boxers won seven gold and three silver medals, the best-ever Commonwealth Games showing by Indian women boxers, according to Telangana Today.
The Tribune — Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitates CWG 2026 weightlifting medallists | DD India — Sports Minister Mandaviya felicitates Commonwealth weightlifting medallists, urges athletes to inspire youth | Telangana Today — Mandaviya honours India's Commonwealth Games 2026 champions | The Kashmir Images — Mandaviya felicitates Commonwealth Games weightlifting medallists with cash awards