In a mighty relief for the Indian shooters and para-shooters, the event has been reinstated for the next Commonwealth Games which will take place in Victoria in 2026. However, wrestling, which won India a plethora of medals at the Birmingham Games in August 2022, will not be a part of the next games in Australia.
The Commonwealth Games Federation on October 4 announced a list of spots, including debutants, which will be part of the Games in 2026. Golf, 3x3 Basketball, 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball, Coastal Rowing, Shooting, Shooting Para Sport, BMX Racing, Mountain Bike Cross Country, Track Cycling and Para-Cycling Track have been added to the already impressive sports line-up, while Coastal Rowing, Golf, and BMX will make a Commonwealth Games debut.
Victoria 2026 is also proposing to add in Para disciplines in Golf, Coastal Rowing and the Road Race and will work with the Commonwealth Games Federation and relevant international sporting federations to determine if this is possible.
Shooting has been one of India's most prolific events in the history of the Commonwealth Games. The Asian nation has won a total of 135 medals, including 63 Gold medals in the sport -- the most by Indian athletes in a spot. Wrestling is next on the list with Indians winning a total of 114, including 49 Gold medals.
However, wrestling will not be part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. Archery also continues to be excluded from the list of sports at the CWG. Notably, the IOA had urged the Commonwealth Games Federation earlier in 2022 to include shooting and wrestling in Victoria 2026 after they were excluded from the initial list.
The former IOA top brass had met the CGF President Dame Louise Martin during the CGF Annual General Meeting, which was held at the Grand Hotel Birmingham in the United Kingdom on July 26, and underlined how the addition of shooting and wrestling will increase the stature of the event.
FULL LIST OF SPORTS
Aquatics (Swimming, Para Swimming & Diving)
Athletics & Para Athletics
Badminton
3x3 Basketball, 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball
Boxing
Beach Volleyball
Coastal Rowing
Cricket T20 (Women’s)
Cycling (BMX)
Cycling (Mountain Bike)
Cycling (Road)
Cycling (Track & Para Track)
Golf
Gymnastics (Artistic)
Hockey
Lawn Bowls & Para Lawn Bowls
Netball
Rugby Sevens
Shooting & Shooting Para Sport
Squash
Table Tennis & Para Table Tennis
Triathlon & Para Triathlon
Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting
