Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 2 Highlights: Jhandu Kumar wins bronze as India opens medal account

50m Backstroke, Srihari's claim to fame four years ago

Four years ago, at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Srihari Nataraj had impressed with his performances in this very event.

He had finished fifth in the final, clocking an impressive 25.23s.

He'll need a similar timing if he is to get out of the semi-finals and find himself in yet another Commonwealth Games final.

That remains the best-ever outing by an able-bodied Indian swimmer in Commonwealth Games history.

So, a lot of expectations to leave up to, for Nataraj tonight.

Swimming, Men's 50m Backstroke Semi-final: Srihari Nataraj in action

Srihari Nataraj will be the next Indian in action. He'll compete in the men's 50m backstroke semi-finals.

Nataraj will swim in the second semi-final and occupy the outermost Lane 8.

He had, earlier in the day, finished 14th overall out of 16 qualifiers to advance to the semi-finals from the Heats, clocking 25.52s.

Up Next: Jhandu Kumar begins India's men's heavyweight para powerlifting campaign!

India's Jhandu Kumar will be in action next in the Men's Heavyweight Final B, scheduled to begin at 12:25 AM IST.

The Indian will have three attempts to register his best lift as he looks to secure a strong finish in the heavyweight category.

Following Jhandu's event, Sudhir will compete in the Men's Heavyweight Final A at 12:56 AM IST, rounding off India's para powerlifting campaign for the day.

Para Swimming, Men's S13 100m Freestyle Final: Ravi Budigina finishes 4th!

Yet another fourth place finish on the day for India as Ravi Budigina ends just outside the podium.

Budigina clocked 57.57s, falling down a place from his heats.

Ali Imam, meanwhile, gains a spot to finish seventh with a timing of 1:03.73s.

Para Swimming, Men's S13 100m Freestyle: Not to be for Ravi Budigina & Ali Imam

The race is underway. Neither Indians are in top three after the first 50m.

Can they fight back?

No is the answer. Ravi Budigina and Ali Imam won't be the ones to open India's medal tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Para Swimming, Men's S13 100m Freestyle Final: START LIST

What is S13 classification in Para swimming?

S13 in para swimming is a category for visually impaired athletes. The swimmers with least visual impairments compete in this category.

The upcoming final is combined of athletes in S11, S12, and S13 categories.

While Ravi Budigina is classified S13, Ali Imam is an S12 swimmer!

Para Swimming, Men's S13 100m Freestyle Final: Two Indians in action

Two Indians, Ravi Budigina and Ali Imam, will be in action in the Men's S13 100m Freestyle final.

Earlier in the day, Budigina had finished third in the heats, clocking 57.10s, while Imam had clocked 1:05.32s to finish eighth.

There was only a single heat with eight swimmers and all eight of them will once again feature in the final.

Para Powerlifting, Women's Heavyweight Final A: Kasthuri Rajamani finishes last after missing final attempt!

India's Kasthuri Rajamani was unable to clear 112kg in her third and final attempt in the Women's Heavyweight Final A.

After failing all three of her attempts- 111kg, 111kg and 112kg, Kasthuri finished last in the competition without registering a successful lift.

Mirabai Chanu & Lovlina Borgohain shattering stereotypes

Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain, two women from the Northeast, led India at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

What does it mean for the population of the region? And what does it mean for women from the eight states? Read here.