Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi stages spectacular comeback to secure silver

Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi completed a remarkable return to elite sports by securing a silver medal in the men's 65kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Lifting a combined total of 286kg, the 26-year-old athlete successfully hoisted 126kg in the snatch event before registering 160kg in the clean and jerk. His second attempts in both lifting styles proved successful, guaranteeing him second place on the final podium.

Muthupandi suffered a severe elbow ligament tear in 2019 that nearly forced him into early retirement. Rehabilitation dragged on for months during global health lockdowns, keeping him away from competitive platforms. He eventually transitioned into the newly introduced 65kg division, grinding through domestic circuits to regain his spot on the prestigious national squad. This hard-fought medal in Scotland perfectly highlights his absolute resilience after he missed the Birmingham 2022 tournament completely.

Expanding Indian Weightlifting Glory

Malaysia's Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed captured the gold medal by lifting a record-breaking 299kg, earning his third consecutive title. However, India continues to dominate the weightlifting arena on the global stage, establishing a historic legacy that regularly produces multiple champions at every major sporting event. Muthupandi delivered India's third medal of the day. Earlier in the schedule, Olympic hero Mirabai Chanu grabbed her third straight gold in the 48kg event, while Chanambam Rishikanta Singh took silver in the 60kg contest. These weightlifting victories elevate India’s overall medal count significantly. In stark contrast, the Indian boxing squad faced an early defeat when Aditya Pratap Yadav lost his pre-quarterfinal match to Uganda's Nuhu Batte via a narrow split decision. Still, Muthupandi’s podium finish brings immense national pride and sets a demanding benchmark for all upcoming Indian competitors participating in Glasgow.

With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: ANI