Rishikanta Singh Secures Silver for India at Commonwealth Games 2026
Rishikanta Singh's Remarkable Achievement
In a remarkable display of strength, weightlifter Rishikanta Singh clinched India's inaugural silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Glasgow on Sunday. Competing in the men's 60 kg category, the 28-year-old secured second place among 11 participants, contributing to India's medal tally in the 23rd edition of the Games. Earlier, para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar had already brought home a bronze in the men's heavyweight division.
Background of Rishikanta Singh
Rishikanta developed a passion for weightlifting early in life and refined his skills at the National Sports Academy located in Khuman Lampak, Imphal. A pivotal moment in his career occurred during the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, where he achieved a gold medal in the men's 60 kg division, lifting a total of 271 kg—120 kg in the snatch and 151 kg in the clean and jerk. This performance not only earned him the Commonwealth championship title but also secured his qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and set a national record.
His prowess was further demonstrated when he ranked 11th at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships, competing against a highly competitive international field. Rishikanta also participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, gaining valuable experience on a global stage. He has consistently been recognized as one of India's leading weightlifters, having set the national snatch record of 124 kg in the men's 61 kg category during the 2024 National Weightlifting Championships.
Details of the Competition
In the men's 60 kg division, the gold medal was awarded to Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq from Malaysia, while Joshua Amunga Mboya from Kenya took home the bronze. Rishikanta excelled in the snatch category, starting with a successful lift of 116 kg on his first attempt, followed by 119 kg and then 121 kg, achieving a personal best and a Commonwealth Games record.
Although both Rishikanta and Aniq lifted 121 kg in the snatch, the competition hinged on the clean and jerk lifts. Rishikanta began strong with a lift of 143 kg but faced challenges on his second attempt at 148 kg. With Aniq lifting 149 kg, Rishikanta needed to lift 151 kg on his final attempt to secure gold. Ultimately, he finished with a total of 264 kg, earning the silver medal as Aniq concluded with 273 kg.