Jhandu Kumar Wins Bronze in Para Powerlifting at Commonwealth Games 2026

Celebrating a Historic Achievement

Jitender Pal Singh, the coach of the Indian para-powerlifting team, expressed his overwhelming joy following Jhandu Kumar's bronze medal victory at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Glasgow. He emphasized that this accomplishment showcases India's capability to compete on a global scale.

Significance of the Medal

In an interview after Jhandu's success, Singh highlighted the challenges of para powerlifting, labeling it as one of the most demanding para sports. He noted that securing a medal at the Commonwealth Games is a strong indicator that athletes can also aim for Olympic medals. "This is an unparalleled joy. Para Powerlifting is incredibly tough, and winning here positions us as contenders on the world stage. Achieving a medal in this competition suggests we can also aim for Olympic success," Singh remarked.

Relief and Joy for the Team

The coach conveyed a sense of relief and happiness for the team, as Indian para powerlifters have a history of medal wins at the Commonwealth Games. "Winning a medal brings immense joy, a feeling that words cannot capture. We were a bit anxious because our athletes have consistently performed well in these games. This was our final chance, and we feared we might not secure a medal," he explained.

Close Call for Gold

Reflecting on Jhandu's performance, Singh mentioned that the Indian lifter was in the running for the gold medal but faced challenges with his final attempt. "At one point, we were in contention for gold, but the third lift did not go as planned. If that lift had been successful, we would have secured the gold medal today," he added.

Jhandu's Performance Breakdown

Jhandu achieved his bronze medal with a successful lift of 190kg, earning 130.9 points. He started strong, lifting 181kg in his first attempt for 124.7 points, then improved to 190kg in his second lift, briefly placing him at the top of the leaderboard. In his final attempt, he aimed for 196kg, which would have set a new Commonwealth Games record, but he was unable to complete the lift.

Performance of Other Indian Lifters

In earlier events, India's lightweight para powerlifters did not secure medals. Ashok finished fourth in the men's final with a personal-best lift of 200kg, scoring 143.8 points, while Paramjeet Kumar placed seventh with a lift of 176kg and 135.6 points. In the women's lightweight category, Jaspreet Kaur ranked sixth with a lift of 100kg for 96.4 points, and Suman Devi also finished seventh with a best lift of 100kg and 88.4 points.

Kasthuri Rajamani, competing in the women's heavyweight final, unfortunately, did not record a valid lift as all three of her attempts were unsuccessful.

A Milestone for India

Jhandu's bronze medal marks a significant milestone as it is India's first medal in para powerlifting at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.