Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (August 14, 2026) interacted with Army personnel who won 16 medals, including eight gold, seven silver and one bronze, at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.

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India won a total of 39 medals — 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze. Personnel from the armed forces accounted for 18 of these medals, with the Army winning 16 and the Navy two.

Mr. Singh described the performance of the armed forces sportspersons as “extraordinary” and commended their determination and ability to overcome physical and mental pressure while competing at the international level.

He said the athletes were a source of inspiration, particularly for the youth, describing them as a “perfect blend of a soldier and a champion”.

The Defence Minister also highlighted the performance of Indian women boxers, who secured four of the six boxing gold medals that India won. He said the achievement would encourage more girls to take up boxing and pursue careers in the armed forces.

Mr. Singh also noted that sporting talent was emerging from different parts of the country, reflecting the democratisation of sports in India.

He said sporting success was no longer confined to a select section of society and wished the athletes success in upcoming international competitions, including the Asian Games and the Olympics.

Separately, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth also interacted with and felicitated the Army contingent for its performance at the Commonwealth Games. He commended the sportspersons for their achievements and their contribution to India’s strong medal tally.