Jhandu Kumar wins bronze to open India CWG account

Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar secured a bronze medal in the Men’s Heavyweight category, officially opening the Commonwealth Games 2026 India medals tally late Friday night. Competing from Group B, Kumar successfully lifted 181 kg in his initial attempt before improving to 190 kg on his next turn. He finished the tough event with 130.9 points. Great Britain's Matthew Harding claimed silver, while Nigeria's Riluwan Idris captured gold.

Overcoming Severe Hardships to Reach Global Podium

Kumar was affected by polio since birth in Harnaut, located in Nalanda district, Bihar. Coming from a humble family where his father worked as a vegetable seller, he fought financial and physical hardships during his childhood. He initially started his sports career in 2017 as a field athlete competing in shot put and discus throw. Regular strength conditioning in local gyms soon encouraged him to switch his focus toward powerlifting.

Expert Guidance Transforming Athletic Career

Paralympic medallist Rajinder Singh Rahelu spotted Kumar's potential and invited him to train at the Sports Authority of India center in Gandhinagar. Under Rahelu's guidance, Kumar set national records in 2025 and 2026 by lifting over 205 kg. Para-athletes from eastern states like Bihar and Odisha have increasingly utilized such national excellence centers to bridge infrastructural gaps and reach international podiums. His consistent progress brought him continental success before qualifying for Glasgow.

Mixed Results Across Other Sporting Disciplines

Indian athletes recorded several notable performances across other events on the same day. Boxer Jadumani Singh defeated local favorite Aaron Cullen in the 55kg category to advance into the next round. Lawn bowls players Putul Sonowal, Rupa Rani Tirkey, and Pinki Singh secured crucial victories in their respective group matches. Meanwhile, Indian competitors in para swimming and lightweight powerlifting missed out on medals despite reaching their final rounds.