Jhandu Kumar Celebrated for Historic Bronze at Commonwealth Games 2026

Jhandu Kumar, a para powerlifter from Bihar, made history by winning India's first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Honored by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Jhandu received a cash award and shared his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to international success. With aspirations for the upcoming Asian Para Games, he reflects on the support from Prime Minister Modi and his determination to excel further. Read on to learn more about his remarkable achievements and future goals.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 23:31 IST

Celebrating a Remarkable Achievement

New Delhi, July 27: The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, honored para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar at his residence on Monday, following his remarkable achievement of winning India's inaugural medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Jhandu secured a bronze in the men's heavyweight division with an impressive lift of 190kg.

As part of the recognition, Mandaviya presented Jhandu with a cash prize of Rs 10 Lakh. Hailing from a modest background in Nalanda district, Bihar, Jhandu's journey to success is truly inspiring.

Reflecting on his meeting with the Union Sports Minister, Jhandu expressed his gratitude, stating, “I arrived in Delhi at 1:55 AM and was thrilled to receive a message that the Hon'ble Sports Minister wanted to meet me. It was heartwarming to know he was eager to see me. During our conversation, he encouraged me to aim for a gold medal at the Asian Para Games, and I am determined to make my country proud.”

Before his rise in powerlifting, Jhandu supported his family by selling vegetables and driving an e-rickshaw in Harnaut town. His talent was recognized by chief para coach Rajender Rahelu, leading to his training at SAI NCOE Gandhinagar in June 2023.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to celebrate Jhandu's achievement, stating, “A spectacular performance by Jhandu Kumar, who has opened India’s medal tally at the #CWG2026 by winning a Bronze in the Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting event! Congratulations to him. His achievement reflects immense strength, determination, and years of hard work. He has made the nation proud and inspired many.”

Jhandu shared that the Prime Minister's acknowledgment gave him goosebumps. “When I was in Glasgow, Hon'ble PM tweeted about my success, and my fellow athletes remarked on how rare it is for a head of state to recognize a bronze medalist. This filled me with immense pride. Since winning, I have hardly slept due to the excitement. My phone has been buzzing non-stop. I believe Indian sports have reached new heights thanks to the unwavering support from our leaders. I feel fortunate to be the only CWG medalist to receive such encouragement from the Prime Minister,” the 29-year-old remarked.

Prior to his success in Glasgow, Jhandu had already made a mark by winning silver and gold medals in the Khelo India Para Games in 2024 and 2025, respectively. He is now focused on the upcoming Asian Para Games, set to take place from October 18 to 24 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

“With such backing from our country's leadership, I feel motivated to excel even further. I plan to visit my hometown briefly to see my family before returning to Gandhinagar to prepare for the Asian Para Games. China will be a tough competitor, but I am committed to securing a medal for my country,” Jhandu concluded.