Commonwealth Games 2026 : All you need to know about Harjinder Kaur

Harjinder Kaur is one of India's most experienced weightlifters, having won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the women's 71kg category.

A regular on the international circuit, she has consistently represented India at the Commonwealth and Asian Weightlifting Championships and heads to Glasgow 2026 aiming to add another Commonwealth Games medal to her collection.

Early days

Hailing from Mehas village in Punjab, Harjinder's sporting journey began with kabaddi and tug of war before she discovered weightlifting.

While studying at Panjab University, she caught the attention of her coach, Paramjeet Sharma, the 1990 Commonwealth Games weightlifting champion, who recognised her raw strength and encouraged her to take up the sport.

Coming from a modest farming family, Harjinder faced financial hardships in the early years of her career. Her coach supported her training, allowing her to pursue weightlifting professionally.

She soon began winning medals on the national circuit, including gold at the Senior National Championships and the 3rd Women's Inter-State Senior National Weightlifting Championship.

Rise through the ranks

Harjinder established herself among India's leading weightlifters through consistent performances at the national level before making her mark internationally.

She won silver at the 2021 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships before achieving the biggest success of her career at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she claimed bronze in the women's 71kg category with a total lift of 212kg.

Alongside her international achievements, she has also won multiple national titles, including gold medals at the 2021 and 2022 Senior National Championships.

Harjinder has remained a regular medal winner on the international stage.

At the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, she won bronze in the women's 69kg category with a personal-best total lift of 222kg, comprising 99kg in the snatch and 123kg in the clean and jerk.

She carried that form into the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships, where she secured bronze in the women's 69kg snatch event with a lift of 96kg.

Eyes on Glasgow

The 29-year-old heads to Glasgow as one of India's most experienced weightlifters.

After winning bronze on her Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham four years ago, Harjinder will look to use her experience and consistency to challenge for another podium finish and further strengthen her impressive international record.