Jhandu Kumar Celebrates Bronze Medal Win at Commonwealth Games, Eyes Future Glory

Jhandu Kumar's Remarkable Achievement

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar expressed his elation after clinching a bronze medal in the men's heavyweight category at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. He shared his aspirations to continue making India proud in future competitions, including the Asian Games and the Olympics.

Jhandu secured his bronze in the para powerlifting event held at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow. The 28-year-old athlete, competing in Group B, achieved his best lift of 190 kg on his second attempt, which earned him a score of 130.9 points.

A special welcome ceremony took place at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar to honor both Jhandu Kumar and his coach, Arjuna Awardee Rajender Singh Rahelu.

In an interview, Jhandu Kumar expressed his overwhelming joy, stating that the happiness he felt was indescribable. He mentioned, "Today is truly a moment of great happiness, and I am so happy that I cannot even describe it. That... I mean, if you look at it, because of this happiness, I haven't slept properly for three days. So you yourself can now estimate how happy I am."

Looking ahead, Jhandu Kumar set his sights on the Asian Games and the Olympics, vowing to prepare rigorously and secure a gold medal for India. He stated, "My next [goals] are the Asian Games and the Olympics. I will prepare for them very well. And I will bring a medal—I will bring a gold medal."

Coach Rajinder Singh Rahelu commended Jhandu's achievement as a proud moment for the nation, emphasizing his inspiring journey from selling vegetables to standing on the international podium. He noted that Jhandu has been training at SAI Gandhinagar since 2023 and described him as a dedicated athlete with a commendable work ethic.

Rahelu remarked, "Jhandu has won a medal; one thing is that it is a good thing... it is the start of the Commonwealth Games. It was his first medal, Jhandu Kumar's. And it is a very good thing, a matter of honour, a matter of happiness for India; it is a matter of pride. And for the rest, as you are seeing on all the channels, from selling vegetables to a Commonwealth medal, you can imagine how full of struggle his journey must have been. But since 2023 he has been training with us at SAI Gandhinagar; he trains very well, with dedication, he is a very good boy."

Expressing his joy, Rahelu added that the achievement was particularly special for him, as he had won a silver medal at the same Commonwealth Games venue 12 years ago in 2014, and now his student has also succeeded there.

"I am very happy, because for me this happiness is doubled, that 12 years ago in the Commonwealth I myself won a medal, a silver medal, and 12 years later today on that same stage, the stage in Glasgow where I won a medal, on that same stage my student has won a medal, so it is a matter of great happiness for me," he said.

Currently, the team is gearing up for the Para Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, scheduled for October, while their long-term goal remains to secure a medal at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Rahelu stated, "Next, right now we are preparing for the Para Asian Games in Japan; we are preparing for that. But our main target is a Paralympic medal, which will be in LA (Los Angeles) in 2028; that is the target we are working towards."