CWG 2026: Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain name India’s flagbearers for opening ceremony in Glasgow | Commonwealth Games News
NEW DELHI: Weight star In Mirabai Chan and boxing ace Lovlina Borgohain will lead the 124-member Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on July 23.Olympic medalists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain will carry India’s hopes and the Tricolor at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named the decorated duo as the country’s flag and baton bearers on Saturday.The opening ceremony of the scaled-down edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place at the OVO Hydro on July 23, where two seasoned athletes will lead India’s 124-member contingent into the arena.Announcing the decision, IOA president PT Usha said the honor reflects the outstanding contribution made by the two athletes to Indian sports.“It is a matter of pride that Mirabai and Lovlina will do the honors at OVO Hydro. I wish both the girls and the entire contingent good luck,” Usha said in a statement. “It is a matter of pride that two women have been chosen to do the honors for Team India at the opening ceremony, which will set the tone and tenor of the Games.”
Two of India’s biggest medals
Mirabai and Lovlina go to Glasgow not only as India’s ceremonial leaders but also among the strongest medal contenders.Mirabai, who won Olympic silver in the women’s 49kg category at the 2021 Tokyo Games, has been the face of Indian weightlifting for almost a decade. He added the gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and also a lot of medals at the World Championships.Although he narrowly missed out on winning a medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, the Manipur lifter remains one of India’s brightest prospects in Glasgow.Lovlina, on the other hand, wrote history by winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics before becoming world champion in 2023. She also won silver at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and entered the Commonwealth Games as one of India’s top medal hopefuls in boxing.Usha praised both the athletes for consistently delivering on the biggest stages.“Both Mirabai and Lovlina have always devoted themselves in the international arena for India. They are now training with the right enthusiasm for the Games in the United Kingdom,” he said.
India has sent a 124-member contingent
Earlier this week, the IOA officially flagged off the Indian contingent while unveiling the ceremonial and competition kits for the Games.India will be represented by 124 athletes, including athletes and para-athletes, in 10 disciplines, including athletics, boxing, weightlifting, cycling, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowls and swimming, along with several para-sport events.The contingent will be led by Chef de Mission Rohit Rajpal and Deputy Chef de Mission Ravi Bengani as India looks to continue the rich Commonwealth Games legacy.
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