The first contingent of Indian athletes, featuring <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/mirabai-chanu-delivers-historic-third-consecutive-commonwealth-gold-in-glasgow-23641785" rel="nofollow">star weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu</a> and silver medalist Lovepreet Singh, received a grand homecoming on Sunday following a successful Commonwealth Games outing, with enthusiastic crowds gathering at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport to greet them.
Olympic medalist Mirabai secured her third consecutive <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/commonwealth-games-2026-cautious-neeraj-chopra-still-two-good-23642776" rel="nofollow">Commonwealth Games</a> gold in the women's 49kg division.
"Coming from Manipur, I feel really proud that I have done something good for my Country," Mirabai told PTI after arriving at the airport.
Lovepreet, who secured a silver medal in the men's +110kg category after being edged out of gold by a single kilogram, noted that his attention now shifts to the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
"I would like to thank my Indian Navy staff and captain Vijay Kumar, and all who have come," said the 28-year-old from Punjab, who achieved a total lift of 388kg, which featured a Commonwealth Games record of 176kg in the snatch.
"It happens (missing on gold), but I did my hard work and I have got the result for that and when two players fight one has to lose. Up next, I will prepare well for Asian Games."
<h2>Athletes target future success as medal tally grows</h2>
India's weightlifting squad concluded their event with eight total medals, comprising one gold, six silver, and one bronze.
"Everyone has welcomed us like this so it feels great, thankyou all for making feel like home," said Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam, who claimed bronze in the women's 58kg category.
"I'll train even harder than I have so far for the upcoming competitions."
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/commonwealth-games-2026-rishikanta-singhs-family-celebrates-historic-silver-medal-23641799" rel="nofollow">Rishikanta Singh</a>, who earned silver in the men's 60kg division, expressed his determination to aim higher in future events.
"Feeling good that I have got a medal for India. I've already spoken about my performance, but I'll come back stronger and perform even better," Rishikanta said. The Imphal-born Indian Army lifter also made a heartfelt call for peace in his native state to help foster future sporting achievement.
"For me both Navy and Meitei are equal. I would want to say this that we need peace in Manipur so that Manipur could produce more athletes even better than me," he said.
India currently holds fourth position on the overall leaderboard with 13 gold, 17 silver, and nine bronze medals, bringing the total count to 39.
(With inputs from PTI)

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Indian weightlifters return to grand welcome after Commonwealth Games triumph

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