Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games 2026: After 24 years, Indian women win more gold medals than men
Indian women bagged 8 gold medals in Glasgow, compared to five won by men.
Sakshi Chaudhary celebrates after being assured of a medal at 2026 Commonwealth Games (Photo credit: PTI)
Indian women won eight gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, while the men won five.
It is the first time since the 2002 Commonwealth Games that Indian women have won more gold medals than Indian men, reflecting the growing strength of Indian women in sport.
The two-decade journey
Indian women last outperformed their male counterparts in gold medals at the 2002 Games in Manchester, winning 16 gold medals compared to the men's 14.
Women weightlifters led the charts then for India, with gold medals being awarded for all three – snatch, clean and jerk, total lift.
However, from Melbourne 2006 through Birmingham 2022, men led India's gold medal tally at every edition until the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
| Year | Gold Medals won by Indian women | Gold Medals won by Indian men | Gold won by Mixed Team |
| 2026 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 | 8 | 12 | 1 |
| 2018 | 12 | 13 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 | 9 | 0 |
| 2010 | 13 | 25 | 0 |
| 2006 | 7 | 15 | 0 |
| 2002 | 16 | 14 | 0 |
The gap was at its widest in Delhi 2010, when men claimed 25 gold medals against the women's 13.
Over the following editions, the difference gradually narrowed, with Gold Coast 2018 proving to be a turning point as women finished just one gold behind the men (12 gold medals to the men's 13).
At Glasgow 2026, after a 24-year wait, the Indian women's contingent clinched eight gold medals in comparison to the men's five.
This marks a significant milestone in India's Commonwealth Games history.
Uniqueness of Glasgow 2026
With a reduced programme featuring only 10 sports, Indian women shone through, making this achievement even more significant.
India's eight women's gold medallists at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games were Mirabai Chanu, Sharmila Dhankar, Asmita Dey, Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas and Arundhati Choudhary.
Four sports headlined the success—boxing, weightlifting, judo and para athletics.
Mirabai Chanu won the women's 48 kg weightlifting title, achieving a historic hat-trick of Commonwealth Games gold medals.
In boxing, Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51 kg), Priya Ghanghas (60 kg) and Arundhati Choudhary (70 kg) all claimed gold, helping India record its best-ever boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games.
Asmita Dey created history by becoming India's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo champion after winning the women's 48 kg title.
Para athlete Sharmila Dhankar won gold in the women's F57 shot put, adding another medal to India's tally.
Overall, boxing accounted for five gold medals, while weightlifting, judo and para athletics contributed one gold medal each.