CWG 2026: Neeraj Chopra eyes Javelin gold; Lovlina Borgohain leads India’s boxing charge for final berths

GLASGOW: India’s campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Friday will be headlined by former Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who will be chasing gold in the men’s javelin throw final.

Neeraj secured his place in the final with a best throw of 79.61m during the qualification round, finishing fifth overall after navigating difficult throwing conditions at Scotstoun Stadium, as per Olympics.com.

The Indian star will, however, need to produce a significantly better effort in the medal contest, where he faces a formidable field featuring defending Commonwealth champion Arshad Nadeem, in-form Sri Lankan Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott, and former world champion Anderson Peters. India’s Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh will also be in the mix in the 12-man final.

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Ten Indian boxers will compete in the semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, with each already guaranteed at least a bronze medal. The achievement marks India’s most successful boxing campaign at any edition of the Commonwealth Games in terms of overall medal haul.

Sakshi Chaudhary (women’s 51kg), Preeti Pawar (women’s 54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (women’s 57kg), Priya Ghanghas (women’s 60kg), Arundhati Choudhary (women’s 70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (women’s 75kg), Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (men’s 55kg), Sachin Siwach (men’s 60kg), Ankush Panghal (men’s 80kg) and Narender Berwal (men’s +90kg) will all be aiming to book their places in the finals with victories in their respective semi-final bouts.

In athletics, Tejaswin Shankar will be aiming to secure a podium finish in the decathlon after ending Thursday’s events in second place overall.

Meanwhile, Yashas Palaksha and Santhosh Kumar T will be in action in the men’s 400m hurdles final, with both Indians looking to challenge for medals.

Judo joins India’s Commonwealth Games campaign on Friday, with Harsh Singh (men’s 60kg), Shraddha Kadubal Chopade (women’s 52kg), Rohit Basir Majgul (men’s 66kg), Asmita Dey (women’s 48kg) and Yamini Mourya (women’s 57kg) set to begin their respective campaigns.

Meanwhile, India’s cyclists will continue their track events, competing in the men’s 4,000m individual pursuit, keirin and elimination race as they look to progress and challenge for strong finishes.

Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar will be up against Ian Barnes and Oliver Thompson in men’s pairs bowls sectional play. Heading into a potential decisive clash against England on Saturday, the Indian pair can ill afford to drop any points. (ANI)