Jaspal Rana: The Uncontested King
Pistol shooter Jaspal Rana stands alone as India's most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history. Across four incredible Games from 1994 to 2006, Rana amassed an astonishing 15 medals: nine gold, four silver, and two bronze. His journey began as an 18-year-old
at the 1994 Victoria Games, and his most dominant performance came at Manchester in 2002, where he bagged a remarkable six medals. Rana's consistency and dominance in events like the 25m Centre-Fire Pistol cemented his legacy and played a significant role in establishing India as a shooting powerhouse on the world stage. His final medal, a gold in Melbourne 2006, capped a career that remains the benchmark for Indian excellence at the Games.
Sharath Kamal: The Table Tennis Maestro
The only non-shooter at the top of this elite list, table tennis legend Sharath Kamal Achanta has been a force of nature for two decades. His incredible longevity and skill have earned him 13 medals, including seven golds. Sharath's CWG journey began with a historic singles gold in Melbourne 2006, and he has continued to collect medals at every subsequent appearance. His performance at the 2022 Birmingham Games was particularly brilliant, where at the age of 40, he won three golds and a silver, proving his enduring class. Kamal's success has single-handedly raised the profile of table tennis in India, inspiring a new generation of players.
Samaresh Jung: The 'Gold Finger'
Following closely behind his contemporary Jaspal Rana is fellow shooter Samaresh Jung, with a total of 14 medals. This tally includes seven golds, five silvers, and two bronzes, won across the 2002, 2006, and 2010 Games. Jung earned the nickname 'Gold Finger' after his phenomenal performance at the 2006 Melbourne Games, where he won a staggering seven medals, including five golds. He often partnered with Rana in pairs events, forming one of Indian shooting's most successful duos. His specialty in the air pistol events made him a formidable competitor and a key contributor to India's medal hauls during that era.
Gagan Narang: The Rifle Specialist
Another titan from the world of Indian shooting, Gagan Narang, has 10 Commonwealth Games medals to his name. What makes his collection particularly spectacular is that eight of them are gold. Narang was utterly dominant in his prime, winning four gold medals at the 2006 Melbourne Games and repeating the incredible feat with another four golds at the 2010 Delhi Games. Often partnering with Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, Narang excelled in 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle events, showcasing his precision and calm under pressure. His success at the CWG served as a springboard for his eventual Olympic bronze medal in 2012.
Abhinav Bindra: The Olympic Champion
India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra, also carved out a stellar legacy at the Commonwealth Games. Over five Games, starting as a 15-year-old in 1998, he accumulated a total of nine medals, including four golds. While he won multiple golds in pairs events in 2002, 2006, and 2010, his first individual Commonwealth gold came in 2014 at Glasgow, an achievement he cherished. Bindra's meticulous preparation and mental fortitude were legendary, and his success not only brought India immense pride but also revolutionised the approach to elite sports in the country.
