Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain to lead India in CWG 2026 opening ceremony

Olympic medalists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain will lead India in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 23, adding another chapter to their illustrious careers.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday confirmed that the successful athletes will carry the national flag and serve as baton bearers during the opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro. The duo will lead India’s 126-member contingent as the country begins its campaign at the multi-sport event.

Announcing the decision, IOA President PT Usha said, “It is a matter of pride that Mirabai and Lovlina will be doing the honors at the OVO Hydro. I wish the girls and the entire contingent the best of luck.”

The tribute is a fitting tribute to two athletes who have consistently excelled on the biggest stages. Mirabai won silver in the women’s 49kg event at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming only the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal. Meanwhile, Lovlina secured bronze in Tokyo, becoming only the third Indian boxer to stand on the Olympic podium.

FROM TOKYO TRIUMPH TO GLASGOW GLORY

For Mirabai, Glasgow offers another opportunity to add to an already glittering Commonwealth Games record. The Manipuri star won gold in Birmingham 2022 after placing on the podium at the Gold Coast Games four years earlier. Her achievements also extend to the World Championships, where she won gold in 2017 and added several podiums in subsequent editions.

After narrowly missing out on a medal at the Paris Olympics, Mirabai heads to Glasgow determined to return to the top. The 31-year-old remains one of the biggest names in Indian sport and has spearheaded the country’s weightlifting success for nearly a decade.

Lovlina also arrives in Scotland with an impressive CV. The boxer from Assam has seen a remarkable rise since switching from kickboxing at a young age. Since her Olympic breakthrough in Tokyo, she has won gold at the 2023 World Championships and silver at the Asian Games in Hangzhou later that year.

However, unlike Mirabai, Lovlina is still chasing her first Commonwealth Games medal. The 27-year-old will see the tournament as an opportunity to complete an already impressive collection of accolades and further cement her position among India’s top athletes.

Taking place from 23 July to 2 August, the Commonwealth Games will bring together competitors from across the Commonwealth in one of the biggest sporting events of the year. With Mirabai and Lovlina leading the contingent, India’s campaign begins with two of its most famous champions at the fore.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

18 Jul 2026 17:00 IST