'My mother was a little upset': CWG medallist Harjinder reveals emotional call

Indian weightlifter Harjinder Kaur dedicated her Commonwealth Games 2026 silver medal to her mother, revealing that she always calls her first after winning a major event. Harjinder won silver in the women's 69kg category with a combined lift of 227kg (101kg snatch and 126kg clean and jerk), earning her second straight Commonwealth Games medal after winning bronze in Birmingham in 2022."I usually call my mother first whenever I win a medal, and today was no different; I spoke to her briefly right after my event as she was a little upset with me for being away at competitions for so long," Harjinder told news agency IANS.The 29-year-old stayed in medal contention throughout the competition and secured second place with a successful 126kg clean and jerk in her final attempt. Although she admitted she has lifted heavier weights in training, she was pleased with her consistency."I am happy with my silver medal. I have achieved better clean and jerk lifts during my training, but I am satisfied that all six of my lifts were valid," she said.Harjinder also revealed that improving on her previous Commonwealth Games result was one of her biggest goals."I came here with the goal of changing the colour of my medal," she added.Harjinder's sporting career did not begin in weightlifting. She was initially a Kabaddi player and regularly cycled five kilometres to attend training sessions. It was only in 2016, at the age of 20, while studying at Punjabi University in Patiala, that she switched to weightlifting, a decision that has now helped her become a Commonwealth Games silver medallist.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.