Commonwealth Games 2026: Shooting All Set To Make A Comeback, Wrestling To Be Dropped

Shooting, which has long been a strength for India, will return to the Commonwealth Games in 2026, which will be held in Australia's southern state of Victoria. The sport had been ruled out of the 2022 Birmingham Games, which were held in July and August.

Wrestling and archery, however, remain off the list of sports announced by the Commonwealth Games Federation on Wednesday. India has won 135 medals in total, including 63 gold medals in shooting, the most by an Indian athlete in any sport. The Indians have won 114 matches in wrestling, including 49 gold medals.

Golf, BMX, and coastal rowing will all make their CWG debuts in 2026. Coastal rowing, which is being considered for inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, involves boats competing in open water.

The 2026 Games will be held in several regional cities across Victoria and will include 22 sports and 26 disciplines, including nine fully integrated para-sports, according to organisers. "Commonwealth Games Australia is delighted with the inclusion of the new sports and disciplines for Victoria 2026 to take the games into an exciting new era," the statement from the organisers read.

"Victoria 2026 is also proposing to add in Para-sport disciplines in golf, coastal rowing and the road (cycling) race and will work with the Commonwealth Games Federation and relevant international sporting federations to determine if this is possible," the statement added.

Women's T20 cricket is also on the list, which Australia won by defeating India in the final. Boxing, beach volleyball, and cycling (mountain, road, track, and para-track) are among the sports included, as are gymnastics, hockey, and lawn bowls, in which the Indian women's team stunned the world at the previous edition in England.

Victoria 2026 sports:

Athletics and Para-Athletics; Badminton; Basketball (3×3 and 3×3 Wheelchair); Boxing; Beach Volleyball; Coastal Rowing; T20 Cricket (Women’s only); Cycling (BMX, Mountain Bike, Road, Track and Para-Track); Diving; Golf; Gymnastics; Hockey; Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls; Netball; Para-Powerlifting; Rugby Sevens; Shooting and Para-shooting; Squash; Table Tennis and Para-Table Tennis; Triathlon and Para-Triathlon; Weightlifting