Ajaya Babu Shines with Silver at Commonwealth Games 2026, Following in Father's Footsteps

A Dream Realized for Valluri Srinivasa Rao

In Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, Valluri Srinivasa Rao, the father of Ajaya Babu, who recently secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026, expressed immense pride in his son's achievements. For Srinivasa Rao, a former Army personnel, witnessing Ajaya surpass his own accomplishments as a Commonwealth medallist is a dream come true.

Srinivasa Rao, who earned a bronze medal in the 56kg weightlifting category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, believes that Ajaya has the potential to excel further at the upcoming Asian Games in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028. He emphasized the need for government support to help his son achieve even greater success.

Reflecting on his own journey, Srinivasa Rao shared, "After serving 22 years in the Army, I established a weightlifting center in Vizianagaram. My son’s recent silver medal win at the Commonwealth Games was a fulfillment of my dreams. I have faith that he will outshine my achievements. I have been a National Champion for 12 consecutive years."

He added, "I am fully committed to supporting my son in every way possible. However, I urge the government to extend its support, which could significantly enhance his chances of success."

Family Celebrates Ajaya's Triumph

Ajaya Babu's mother, Venkata Lakshmi, also shared her joy and pride upon her son's return with a medal from the Commonwealth Games, stating that the family is celebrating this significant achievement.

"We are overjoyed that he has brought home a medal. This is a moment of great happiness for us," she expressed.

The 22-year-old athlete from Kondavelagada village showcased an impressive performance, lifting a total of 330kg (149kg in snatch and 181kg in clean and jerk), narrowly missing the gold medal, which went to Malaysia's Muhammad Erry Hidayat with a total lift of 331kg, including a Games-record clean and jerk of 184kg.

Ajaya made a remarkable start by setting a Commonwealth Games record with a 149kg lift in the snatch, positioning himself as a strong contender for gold. However, Hidayat's exceptional clean and jerk performance allowed him to edge out Ajaya by just one kilogram.

This silver medal not only marks a proud moment for Ajaya's family but also continues the legacy of excellence in sports from his village, which has produced 20 national and 13 international weightlifters.

Ajaya entered the Games with impressive credentials, having previously defeated Hidayat at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships earlier this year, lifting a total of 335kg compared to Hidayat's 333kg. Despite the reversal in Glasgow, Ajaya proved he can compete with the best in the world.