Jhandu Kumar Wins India's First Glasgow Games Medal
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Glasgow
- Jul 25, 2026
- 93
India's medal campaign at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Commonwealth Games 2026 got off to a memorable start after Bihar para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar secured a bronze medal in the men's heavyweight event. Producing a best lift of 190kg, Kumar collected 130.9 points to earn India's first podium finish of the Games.
The achievement ended India's wait for its opening medal and highlighted one of the most inspiring sporting journeys of recent years—from financial hardship to international glory.
190kg Lift Delivers Bronze for India
Competing in Group B, the 28-year-old successfully lifted 181kg in his opening attempt before improving to 190kg in his second. He then attempted 196kg, aiming to surpass the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games record, but narrowly missed the lift.
Despite the failed final attempt, his overall score comfortably secured the bronze medal.
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🥇 Gold: Rilwan Idris (Nigeria)
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🥈 Silver: Matthew Harding (England)
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🥉 Bronze: Jhandu Kumar (India)
From Selling Vegetables to Becoming a Commonwealth Medallist
Jhandu Kumar's journey is one of determination and resilience.
The Nalanda-born athlete was affected by polio during childhood. Growing up in a financially struggling family, he helped his father sell vegetables on roadsides before later driving an e-rickshaw during the COVID-19 pandemic to support his household.
Today, that same athlete has become one of India's newest Commonwealth Games medallists.
Sold His E-Rickshaw to Keep His Sporting Dream Alive
One of the biggest turning points in Kumar's career came before the 2023 National Championships, when he sold his only source of income—his e-rickshaw—to fund his participation.
Although he failed to register a successful lift in that competition, his determination impressed Paralympic bronze medallist Rajinder Singh Rahelu, who encouraged him to train at the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
That opportunity completely transformed his sporting career.
Eyes Now Set on the Los Angeles Paralympics
Beginning his sporting journey in para-athletics during 2017, Kumar later switched to para powerlifting.
Since then he has:
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Broken national records
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Won medals at the World Cup
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Earned podium finishes at the Asian-Oceania Championships
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Now secured a Commonwealth Games bronze medal
His next major target is qualification for the Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
Indian Athletes Register Mixed Results
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Putul Sonowal Continues Winning Run
In lawn bowls, Putul Sonowal defeated Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands 7-5, 6-8, 1-0 in a dramatic tie-break to register his second straight victory.
India's women's pairs duo Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh also defeated South Africa 2-0.
Para Powerlifting Results
India experienced mixed fortunes in para powerlifting.
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Sudhir finished sixth in the men's heavyweight category.
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Kasthuri Rajamani failed to register a successful lift.
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Ashok Kumar Malik narrowly missed a medal despite lifting a personal best 200kg.
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Paramjeet Kumar placed seventh.
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Jaspreet Kaur and Suman Devi finished sixth and seventh respectively.
Gymnastics and Swimming Update
India ended seventh in the men's team gymnastics event with 208.550 points.
Tapan Mohanty and Yogeshwar Singh qualified for the all-around final.
In swimming:
Commonwealth Games Day 3: India's Medal Hopes
Indian athletes will compete across:
A total of nine gold medals will be decided during the day's competitions.
Key Indian names in action include:
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Sachin Siwach
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Parveen Hooda
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Arundhati Chaudhary
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Ankush
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Aditya Pratap Singh
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Putul Sonowal
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Pinki Singh
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Rupa Rani Tirkey
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Dhakshan Sasikumar
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Srihari Nataraj
End of The Wait
Beyond ending India's wait for its first Glasgow Commonwealth Games medal, Jhandu Kumar's success represents an extraordinary triumph over adversity. From roadside vegetable stalls and driving an e-rickshaw to standing on an international podium, his journey has become one of the most inspiring stories of the Games and a powerful example of perseverance in Indian sport.
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