New Delhi, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, on Tuesday honored Indian boxing, judo, and para-athletics athletes who performed exceptionally well at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. On this occasion, he urged athletes not to limit themselves to medals but to nurture new talent in the country after their athletic careers. He said that experienced athletes should establish their own sports academies and train young athletes in the future.

At the felicitation ceremony, cash prizes of ₹30 lakh were presented to gold medal winners, ₹20 lakh to silver medal winners, and ₹10 lakh to bronze medal winners.

India's Dominance in Boxing

The Indian boxing team achieved its best performance ever at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning a total of 10 medals, including 7 gold and 3 silver medals. With this achievement, India secured first place in the boxing medal tally. Notably, women boxers set a new record by winning seven gold medals.

Gold medalists included Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Jasmine Lamboria (57 kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51 kg), Priya Ghanghas (60 kg), Arundhati Chaudhary (70 kg), Sachin Siwach (60 kg), and Ankush Panghal (80 kg). Silver medalists were Jadumani Singh (55 kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg), and Narendra Berwal (90+ kg).

History Made in Judo for the First Time

The Indian judo team also achieved its best performance in this edition, winning a total of four medals, including two gold, one silver, and one bronze. Khelo India players Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh created history by winning India's first Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo. Asmita Dey became the first Indian female judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal, while Harsh Singh became the first Indian male judoka to achieve this feat.

Achievements of Para Athletes Also Praised

Athletes from the Para Athletics team were also honored at the ceremony. Describing the performance of Indian para athletes in Glasgow as a milestone for the country's para sports, the Sports Minister praised their achievements.

A Message for Opening a Sports Academy

Dr. Mandaviya told the athletes that their goal should not be solely to win medals and obtain government jobs. He said that after retiring from sports, athletes should contribute their expertise to the country and nurture new talent through sports academies. He informed that the Central Government has invested ₹36,000 crore for the revised Khelo India scheme, which will further strengthen the sports infrastructure in the country.

Enthusiasm Boosted for the Asian Games

The Sports Minister called upon the athletes to replicate their Commonwealth Games success at the 2026 Asian Games. He advised the silver and bronze medalists to set a goal of winning gold next time, and the gold medalists to maintain their consistency.

Advice to Not Forget the Contribution of a Mentor

In his address, Dr. Mandaviya encouraged the athletes to respect the contributions of their coaches and mentors. He said that the guidance of a good mentor gives direction to an athlete's entire life and lays a strong foundation for success.

Success from Government Schemes

The Sports Minister stated that the athletes who won medals at the Commonwealth Games benefited from various central government schemes. These include Khelo India, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC), training at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) National Centers of Excellence, participation in international competitions, modern equipment, and high-level coaching. These schemes played a crucial role in the athletes' success.