Raja Muthupandi Celebrates Silver Medal at Commonwealth Games 2026

Dedication of the Silver Medal

Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi has dedicated his silver medal from the Commonwealth Games 2026 to his parents and coach, Vijay Sharma. Despite his achievement, Raja expressed disappointment over not securing the gold in the men's 65kg category in Glasgow. He stated, "I feel let down because my coach believed in me and expected us to strive for gold. Unfortunately, I did not perform to my potential. This victory is for my parents and coach, Vijay Sharma. I will learn from this experience and focus on my training, adhering to my coach's guidance and working diligently in the future."

Raja's Performance Highlights

At 26 years old, Raja achieved a combined lift of 286kg, earning him a second-place finish and marking India's third medal of the day in weightlifting. He successfully lifted 126kg in the snatch during his second attempt and followed it up with a 160kg clean and jerk, also on his second attempt, to secure the silver medal. The gold medal was claimed by Malaysia's Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed, who set a Commonwealth Games record with a total lift of 299kg, achieving his third consecutive title after victories in Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

A Remarkable Comeback Story

This silver medal signifies a remarkable comeback for Raja, whose career faced challenges due to a severe elbow ligament injury in 2019. His recovery was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emergence of Olympic champion Jeremy Lalrinnunga in a higher weight category prevented him from competing in the Birmingham 2022 Games. However, with the introduction of the 65kg category, Raja made a strong return, showcasing consistent performances, including a ninth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships, where he achieved a personal best of 299kg.

India's Mixed Results on the Day

Raja's silver medal contributed to a successful day for India in weightlifting, as Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu secured her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in the women's 48kg category, and Chanambam Rishikanta Singh earned silver in the men's 60kg event. However, India's boxing team faced a setback when Aditya Pratap Yadav was eliminated from the men's competition after a close 3-2 split-decision loss to Uganda's Nuhu Batte in the pre-quarterfinals.