Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026

Australia strengthen their lead as Glasgow delivers a dramatic day of records, medals and memorable performances

By Shakeel ur Rehman

The fifth day of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games produced another action-packed programme, with major finals in athletics, swimming, weightlifting, artistic gymnastics and para-sport. Australia continued to set the pace in the medal race, while England, Canada, India, Scotland and other leading nations also enjoyed important successes. The Games are being staged from 23 July to 2 August across Glasgow.
Australia remain the team to beat
Australia continued their remarkable medal-winning run, particularly in swimming, where their depth and quality again proved decisive.
One of the highlights was the men’s 100m freestyle, where Australia’s Flynn Southam produced a major performance to defeat compatriot and Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers.
Australia also collected major success in athletics, while their overall medal tally continued to keep them comfortably ahead of the chasing nations.
The athletics programme produced several outstanding performances.
In the men’s high jump, Romaine Beckford of Jamaica took gold, while India’s Sarvesh Anil Kushare secured silver after both athletes failed to clear 2.28m, with the Jamaican winning on countback. Kimani Jack took bronze.
The men’s 100m also attracted huge attention, with Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy producing an exceptional performance to take silver. Australia’s Torrie Lewis added a bronze in the women’s 100m after breaking her own national record.
Australia led with 59 medals, followed by England on 31 and Canada on 21.
Weightlifting again proved to be a major source of success for India.
In the men’s 79kg final, Ajaya Babu produced a Games-record performance in the snatch with 149kg, and later lifted 178kg in the clean and jerk for a combined 327kg.

However, Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat eventually took gold after lifting 184kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a total of 330kg. Babu settled for silver.
The women’s 58kg competition also produced an exciting contest, with Nigeria’s Rafiatu Folashade breaking the Games record and eventually taking gold, while India’s Bindyarani Devi won bronze.
Swimming continues to belong to Australia
The Tollcross International Swimming Centre again witnessed some of the Games’ biggest moments.
Australia continued their extraordinary dominance in the pool, while England, Canada, South Africa, Scotland and other nations also challenged strongly.
The official Glasgow 2026 coverage highlighted several major Day Five performances, including Ellie Black becoming the first woman to win the Commonwealth Games all-around artistic gymnastics title twice, England’s Alice Tai securing a third consecutive women’s S9 100m backstroke title, Scotland’s Angharad Evans winning the women’s 100m breaststroke, Canada’s Josh Liendo taking the men’s 100m butterfly by just 0.01 seconds and Australia’s Iona Anderson winning the women’s 100m backstroke by only 0.06 seconds.
The boxing competition also moved into an increasingly important phase as fighters battled for places in the quarter-finals.
India’s Sachin Siwach defeated England’s William Hewitt in the men’s 60kg round of 16, while Sakshi Chaudhary progressed to the women’s quarter-finals with a unanimous 5-0 victory.

In wheelchair 3×3 basketball, India were eliminated from quarter-final contention after a narrow 7-6 defeat to Nigeria.
Scotland delight home supporters
The host nation Scotland continued to provide memorable moments for the home crowd.
The Glasgow Arena witnessed Scottish success in artistic gymnastics, while Angharad Evans produced a dramatic performance in the women’s 100m breaststroke to secure gold. The home supporters have continued to provide one of the most vibrant atmospheres of the Games.
Glasgow 2026
Medal race intensifies
After five days of competition, the medal race is beginning to take a clear shape, with Australia maintaining a commanding position. England and Canada remain among the leading challengers, while India have made significant progress through their strength in weightlifting and para-athletics. Scotland are also targeting a strong performance on home soil.
The Glasgow Games feature 215 medal events across 10 sports, with para-sport integrated into athletics, bowls, cycling, swimming, weightlifting and 3×3 basketball.
Day Five leaves Glasgow buzzing
Day Five once again demonstrated why the Commonwealth Games remain one of the world’s major multi-sport events. From thrilling finishes in the swimming pool and athletics arena to record-breaking lifts and emotional victories in front of home supporters, Glasgow provided a memorable sporting spectacle.
With several days of competition still remaining, the battle for medals is expected to become even more intense.
Australia are setting the pace, England and Canada are chasing, India are making a strong challenge, while Scotland continue to dream of more glory on home soil.
Glasgow 2026 has reached the halfway point — and the biggest battles are still to come.