Raja Muthupandi Shines with Silver in Weightlifting at Commonwealth Games 2026

Raja Muthupandi's Silver Medal Achievement

In a remarkable comeback, India's Raja Muthupandi secured a silver medal in the men's 65kg weightlifting category during the 2026 Commonwealth Games held on Sunday (local time). This achievement marked India's third medal of the day, showcasing the strength of the Indian weightlifting team.

As reported by ESPN, the 26-year-old athlete achieved a total lift of 286kg, which included 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk, earning him a spot on the podium. The gold medal was claimed by Malaysia's Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed, who set a Commonwealth Games record with a total of 299kg, marking his third consecutive title after victories in Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

Raja's Inspiring Comeback Story

This silver medal symbolizes a significant comeback for Raja, whose career faced a major setback due to a severe elbow ligament injury in 2019. His recovery was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a transition to a higher weight category coincided with the rise of Jeremy Lalrinnunga, which sidelined Raja from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. However, he persevered and re-entered the national team after the introduction of the 65kg category, achieving notable performances, including a ninth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships with a personal best of 299kg.

India's Weightlifting Success

Raja's silver medal contributed to a successful day for India in weightlifting. Earlier, Olympic silver medalist Mirabai Chanu won her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in the women's 48kg category, while Chanambam Rishikanta Singh secured silver in the men's 60kg event. With Raja's podium finish, India celebrated its third medal of the day, all from weightlifting, highlighting the sport's vital role in the country's Commonwealth Games performance.

Boxing Setback

In contrast, India's boxing team faced its first challenge of the Games when Aditya Pratap Yadav was eliminated from the men's competition. He lost his pre-quarterfinal match to Uganda's Nuhu Batte by a close 3-2 split decision, marking India's initial boxing defeat at Glasgow 2026.