Indian Weightlifter Chanambam Rishikanta Singh Wins Silver at Commonwealth Games 2026

Chanambam Rishikanta Singh made headlines by winning a silver medal in the men's 60kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026. His family expressed immense pride in his achievement, despite narrowly missing out on gold. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him for his determination and outstanding performance. Rishikanta's silver was India's second medal at the Games, following a bronze by para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar. The competition was thrilling, with Rishikanta achieving a personal best and breaking the Commonwealth Games snatch record. Read on to discover more about this inspiring athlete's journey and the excitement surrounding his performance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 00:05 IST

Proud Family Celebrates Achievement

The family of Chanambam Rishikanta Singh, who secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026, expressed immense pride in his accomplishment. Competing in Glasgow, Rishikanta achieved a personal best with a total lift of 264kg (121kg in snatch and 143kg in clean and jerk), marking India's first silver medal of the event. The gold medal was claimed by Malaysia's Mohamad Aniq Kasdan, who set a Commonwealth Games record with a total of 273kg, while Kenya's Joshua Mboya took home the bronze with 260kg.

Family's Joy and Support

From Imphal, Rishikanta's younger brother, Chanambam Premchandra, shared the family's hopes for a gold medal but expressed happiness with the silver. "I was expecting my brother to win gold, but I am incredibly proud of his achievement," he stated. Rishikanta's sister-in-law, Chanambam Ongbi Ichan, echoed this sentiment, expressing joy over his hard work being recognized on an international platform. "We were thrilled to see his dedication pay off, and our family was equally excited," she remarked.

Prime Minister Modi's Congratulations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to congratulate Rishikanta, commending his determination and wishing him further success. In his message, he stated, "I am very proud of Indian lifter Rishikanta Singh Chanambam for winning a Silver Medal and achieving his personal best. His determination and remarkable performance have brought immense joy to the nation. May he continue to reach new heights and inspire young athletes. Best wishes for his future endeavors!"

Exciting Competition Highlights

Rishikanta's silver medal was India's second at the Glasgow Games, following para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar's bronze. This achievement came just before Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu secured the country's first gold in the women's 48kg weightlifting category. During the 60kg event, Rishikanta delivered an outstanding performance, lifting 116kg and 119kg before achieving a personal best of 121kg in the snatch, breaking the Commonwealth Games record. Kasdan matched this lift, keeping the competition tight after the snatch phase.

Final Attempts and Results

Rishikanta began the clean and jerk with a successful lift of 143kg, briefly taking the overall lead. However, Kasdan responded with lifts of 145kg and 149kg, ultimately securing gold with a record-breaking lift of 152kg. In his final attempt, Rishikanta needed to lift 151kg to surpass Kasdan but, despite completing the clean, he was unable to lock out the jerk, finishing with a memorable silver medal and a new personal best.