How a father’s faith made Harjinder Kaur a CWG silver medalist
Every time Harjinder Kaur traveled from her hometown of Nabha to her college hostel in Sri Anandpur Sahib, her father quietly handed her just enough money for the trip and some extra for expenses. Those modest sacrifices culminated in the 29-year-old standing on the Commonwealth Games podium with a silver medal around her neck on Tuesday in Glasgow.
The Indian weightlifting contingent continued its medal haul at the 2026 Commonwealth Games Harjinder won silver in the women’s 69 kg category, improving on the bronze she won in Birmingham four years ago. Speaking to The Indian Express ahead of the Birmingham Games, Harjinder revealed the sacrifices her father made to keep her dream alive.
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“My father would give me Rs 350 for a return fare from Nabha to the college hostel in Sri Anandpur Sahib and another Rs 350 as pocket money. I was ashamed to ask for more money.”
The note summed up the financial struggles her family endured as Harjinder pursued a career in weightlifting. Every trip to college, every practice, and every competition rested on the belief that the sacrifices would one day be worth it.
“If I won a medal, I would say the feed I chopped on the stream helped me build strong arms and it helped me when I got into weightlifting.
This medal eventually arrived in Birmingham as a bronze. Four years later in Glasgow, Harjinder returned with a bigger ambition – to change colour.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED IN GLASGOW
Harjinder produced a career-best performance at the Commonwealth, lifting personal bests of 101kg in the clean and 126kg in the throw for a total of 227kg. She twice broke the Games record in the clean and jerk before setting new marks in the clean and jerk, but Canada’s Charlotte Simoneau eclipsed each record on her way to gold with a total of 240kg. Australia’s Nya Phebe Hayman finished third in the 218kg category as Harjinder secured India’s seventh weightlifting medal of the Games.
Speaking to reporters after the medal ceremony, Harjinder said improving her medal had been a goal since Birmingham.
“I am very happy to win the silver medal. I won the bronze medal in the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and this time I came with the aim of changing the color of my medal. I achieved that by winning the silver. Now I am looking forward to the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Having won the silver this time, I will try my best to win the gold medal in the next edition.”
She dedicated the medal to her family, whose sacrifices laid the foundation for her success.
“I am very happy to win the silver medal for India. I feel really proud. I am very happy with my performance. I am dedicating the medal to my family. I am thankful to the Indian Federation and the Government of India for helping us reach this far.”
THE JOURNEY IS NOT OVER YET
Glasgow marked another significant chapter in Harjinder’s career. After winning bronze in Birmingham, she returned four years later to improve on her medal colour, with personal bests and a record-breaking performance despite running into the unstoppable Simoneau.
With silver now added to her Commonwealth collection, Harjinder has already set her sights on her next goal. As she made clear after she stepped off the stage in Glasgow, the mission for 2030 is simple – to turn silver into gold.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
Jul 29, 2026 09:02 IST