India had won their first medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games on Friday with Jhandu Kumar winning a bronze in men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event. India are also assured a medal from boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who got a bye in the draw, thereby sending her straight into the semi-finals.

The Glasgow Games have otherwise been a sobering affair for the Indian contingent, particularly since three of India’s athletes have been barred from the Games due to dope-related violations. Judoka Tulika Maan was suspended for three whereabouts failures in the last 12 months. Maan was a silver winner at Birmingham 2022 and consequently one of India’s top medal bets for Glasgow. India have also seen two setbacks before the Opening Ceremony. Judoka Arun Kumar, who competes in the 78 kg category, was was provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) while weightlifter Dilbagh Singh had to return from Glasgow since India’s quote of athletes had to be slashed for doping violations.

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Indian athletes caught in dope net before Commonwealth Games begin

Even before the Glasgow Commonwealth Games were declared open on Thursday, the Indian contingent suffered a setback after two of its medal prospects – one each in weightlifting and judo – were withdrawn following anti-doping rule violations.

Arun Kumar, a Judoka participating in the 78 kg category, was removed from the judo squad after he was provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Although judo team is yet to leave for Glasgow, India can’t name a replacement due to the competition rules.

Hours after Kumar’s suspension, it was revealed that another Indian athlete, weightlifter Dilbagh Singh, would return from Glasgow – although for no fault of his own. Indian weightlifting has reported five positive cases during the period of June 1, 2025, to July 22, 2026. Consequently, India’s athlete quota was slashed from 16 to 11.