Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will headline India’s campaign on Day 8 of the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Thursday as he begins his bid to reclaim the men’s javelin throw title in the qualification round.
The former world champion, who won gold at Gold Coast 2018 before missing the Birmingham 2022 Games through injury, will compete alongside Yash Vir Singh and Rohit Yadav in the men’s javelin qualifiers.
Another major medal hope comes in the men’s shot put final, where national record holder Tajinderpal Singh Toor will look to end his long wait for a Commonwealth Games medal. A two-time Asian Games and Asian Championships gold medallist, Toor finished eighth at Gold Coast 2018 and missed Birmingham 2022 because of a groin injury. Samardeep Singh Gill will also represent India in the event.
In distance running, Parul Chaudhary will aim to bounce back in the women’s 5,000m final after finishing fifth in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase on Wednesday.
India’s weightlifting campaign concludes with Birmingham 2022 bronze medallist Lovepreet Singh competing in the men’s +110kg final, while Martina Devi Maibam will feature in the women’s +86kg final. Indian lifters have already won seven medals in Glasgow, including Mirabai Chanu’s gold.
The track cycling events also begin for India, with Rojit Singh Yanglem, David Beckham Elkatohchoongo, Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam and reserve Jemsh Singh Keithellakpam competing in the men’s team sprint. Para cyclist Lisha Das will contest the women’s C4-C5 4,000m individual pursuit.
Elsewhere, Tejaswin Shankar starts his decathlon campaign, Vishal TK competes in the men’s 400m semi-final, Animesh Kujur races in the men’s 200m semi-final, while Nidhi Rani and Seema Punia will challenge for medals in the women’s discus throw final.
