Glasgow: India opened its medal account at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after Jhandu Kumar clinched a bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event on Friday, delivering the country’s first podium finish of the Games.
Competing in a two-group field, Jhandu topped Group B with a best score of 130.9, finishing ahead of Uganda’s Dennis Mbaziira (114.1) and Australia’s Ben Wright (110.9) to move into medal contention.
Bronze secured after close battle for silver
In the combined standings, Nigeria’s Riluwan Idris claimed the gold medal with a best lift of 132.8, while England’s Matthew Harding secured silver with 131.0. Jhandu finished third with 130.9, missing the silver medal by just 0.1 point in a tightly contested event.
The bronze medal marked India’s first medal of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and continued the country’s encouraging performance in para sports.
From Bihar to the Commonwealth Games podium
Born on January 1, 1997, in Harnaut, Nalanda district of Bihar, Jhandu Kumar was affected by polio since birth. The son of a vegetable vendor, he overcame financial hardships and physical challenges to establish himself as one of India’s leading para powerlifters.
He began his sporting journey in 2017 as a para athletics competitor in the F55 shot put and discus throw events, winning several district and state-level medals. His interest in strength training eventually led him to switch to para powerlifting following a recommendation at a state championship.
Ashok Malik narrowly misses podium
Earlier in the day, Ashok Malik narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s lightweight para powerlifting event, finishing fourth with 143.8 points despite registering an impressive best lift of 200kg.
Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin claimed bronze with 153.5 points, while England’s Mark Swan won the gold medal with 153.9 points. Nigeria’s Roland Ezuruike took silver after matching Swan on points but losing on countback. India’s Parmjeet Kumar finished seventh in the event.