NEW DELHI: Weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu and boxing ace Lovlina Borgohain will lead the 124-member Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on July 23.Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain will carry India’s hopes and the Tricolour 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 the two accomplished athletes will lead India’s 124-member contingent into the arena.Announcing the decision, IOA president PT Usha said the honour reflected the outstanding contributions both athletes have made to Indian sport.“It is a matter of pride Mirabai and Lovlina will be doing the honours at the OVO Hydro. I wish both the girls and the entire contingent good luck,” Usha said in a statement. “It is a matter of pride two women have been chosen to do the honours for Team India at the opening ceremony, which will set the tone and tenor for the Games.”
Two of India’s biggest medal hopes
Mirabai and Lovlina head to Glasgow not only as India’s ceremonial leaders but also among its strongest medal contenders.Mirabai, who won Olympic silver in the women’s 49kg category at the Tokyo Games in 2021, has been the face of Indian weightlifting for nearly a decade. She added Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022 and is also a multiple medallist at the World Championships.Although she narrowly missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, the Manipur lifter remains one of India’s brightest prospects in Glasgow.Lovlina, meanwhile, scripted history by winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics before becoming world champion in 2023. She also claimed silver at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and enters the Commonwealth Games as one of India’s leading boxing medal hopes.Usha praised both athletes for consistently delivering on the biggest stages.“Both Mirabai and Lovlina have time and again proved themselves in the international arena for India. They are at present training in right earnest for the Games in the United Kingdom,” she said.
India sends 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 both able-bodied and para-athletes, across 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 its rich Commonwealth Games legacy.