Jhandu Kumar Secures Bronze for India at 2026 Commonwealth Games

India's First Medal at the Commonwealth Games

Jhandu Kumar made history by winning India's inaugural medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, clinching a bronze in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting category on the first full day of events. The competition took place on Friday, July 24, at the SEC Armadillo. Jhandu was in contention for gold for a significant portion of the event but fell short after failing to lift 196 KG on his final attempt. His best lift of 190 KG in the second round earned him a bronze medal with a total of 130.9 points. Nigeria's Riluwan Idris secured the gold with a lift of 208 KG, totaling 132.8 points, while England's Matthew Harding took silver with a 199 KG lift for 131.0 points. Among the two Indian competitors, 2022 gold medalist Sudhir could not reach the podium this time, finishing sixth with a lift of 183 KG (114.1 points).

Background of Jhandu Kumar

Jhandu Kumar, hailing from Harnaut in Bihar's Nalanda district, is the son of a vegetable vendor. He has faced numerous challenges, including battling polio since birth and overcoming financial hardships. His journey in sports began in athletics, where he competed in shot put events in the F55 category, earning several medals at district and state levels. Following a recommendation during a state championship, he transitioned to para powerlifting. Although he struggled at his first national competition, he caught the attention of Paralympics bronze medalist Rajinder Singh Rahelu, who invited him to train at the Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar. Last year, Jhandu set a national record with a lift of 205 KG at the national championship, later surpassing it with a 206 KG lift at the Khelo India Para Games. He also won bronze medals at the Beijing World Cup 2025 and the Asia Oceania Championship in 2026, and placed fifth at the previous year's world championships.