File Pic: Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu (PTI Image)
New Delhi: Weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu and boxing ace Lovlina Borgohain will lead the 124-member Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on July 23.Olympic medalists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain will carry India’s hopes and the tricolor at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named the decorated duo as the country’s flag and baton bearers on Saturday.
The opening ceremony of the mini-version of the Commonwealth Games will be held at the OVO Hydro on July 23, where the two elite athletes will lead India’s 124-member contingent into the arena.Announcing the decision, IOA President PT Usha said the honor reflects the outstanding contributions made by both athletes to Indian sports.“It is a matter of pride that Mirabai and Lovelina will receive OVO Hydro honors.
“I wish good luck to the girls and the entire group. It is a matter of pride that two women have been selected to honor Team India at the opening ceremony, which will set the tone and tenor of the Games,” Usha said in a statement.
Two of India’s biggest medal hopes
Mirabai and Lovlina head to Glasgow not only as India’s ceremonial leaders but also among the strongest medal contenders.Mirabai, who won an Olympic silver medal in the women’s 49kg category at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has been the face of Indian weightlifting for nearly a decade.
She added a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and is also a multiple World Championship medalist.Although she narrowly missed out on the chance of a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Manipur lifter remains one of India’s brightest prospects in Glasgow.Meanwhile, Lovlina wrote history by winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics before becoming world champion in 2023. She also claimed a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and entered the Commonwealth Games as one of India’s leading medal hopes in boxing.Usha lauded both athletes for their consistent performances at big stages.“Both Mirabai and Lovlina have proven themselves time and again on the international stage for India. They are currently training seriously for the Olympic Games in the UK,” she said.
India sends a contingent of 124 personnel
Earlier this week, the IOA officially tagged the Indian contingent while unveiling ceremonial and competition gear for the Games.India will be represented by 124 athletes, including able-bodied and para-athletes, across 10 disciplines, including athletics, boxing, weightlifting, cycling, gymnastics, judo, bowling and swimming, besides several para-sporting events.The contingent will be led by Head of Mission Rohit Rajpal and Deputy Chief of Mission Ravi Pangani as India looks to continue its rich heritage in the Commonwealth Games.