NEW DELHI: weight star Mirabai Chanu and boxing ace Lovlina Borgohain will lead the 124-member Indian contingent to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 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 reduced edition of the Commonwealth Games will be held at the OVO Hydro on July 23, where the two successful athletes will lead the 124-member Indian contingent into the arena.Announcing the decision, IOA president PT Usha said the honor reflects the outstanding contributions both the athletes have made to Indian sports.“It is a matter of pride that Mirabai and Lovlina will honor the OVO Hydro. I wish 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 in 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 49 kg category at the 2021 Tokyo Games, has been the face of Indian weightlifting for nearly a decade. He added gold from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and is also a multiple medalist at the World Championships.Despite narrowly missing out on a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Manipur lifter remains one of India’s brightest prospects in Glasgow.Lovlina, meanwhile, made 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 top boxing medal hopes.Usha praised both the athletes for being consistent on the biggest stages.“Both Mirabai and Lovlina have once again proven themselves in the international arena for India. They are currently training seriously for the Games in the United Kingdom,” he said.
India is sending a contingent of 124 members
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, in 10 disciplines, including athletics, boxing, weightlifting, cycling, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowls and swimming, along with several para-sports events.The contingent will be led by Chef of Mission Rohit Rajpal and Deputy Chef of Mission Ravi Bengani as India looks to continue its rich Commonwealth Games legacy.