Indian para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar received a grand welcome at Delhi Airport after securing a bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight category at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG).
Speaking to reporters, Kumar expressed his joy at winning India’s first medal of the Games and raising the national flag, while also sharing his disappointment at missing out on gold. “Thank you so much for all the love. It feels amazing. I secured the first medal for India and hoisted our national flag. It’s a great feeling… There is a tinge of disappointment that I couldn’t bring home the gold for the country. There are a few areas that need work, and I will focus on them… There was a minor technical error, and my coach was positioned a bit too far away, which caused the issue,” he said.
Kumar claimed bronze in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event held at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow. The 28-year-old competed in Group B and achieved his best lift of 190 kg on his second attempt, earning 130.9 points.
Medals in para powerlifting at the Commonwealth Games are awarded based on a bodyweight coefficient system rather than the absolute weight lifted. Athletes from different bodyweight categories compete together in lightweight and heavyweight divisions, with final rankings determined by the athlete’s bodyweight and highest successful lift.
Kumar began with a successful lift of 181 kg, then increased to 190 kg on his second attempt. His final lift attempt was 196 kg, which would have broken the Commonwealth Games record set at Birmingham 2022. However, he was unable to complete this lift and finished third, securing the bronze medal. This marks India’s first podium finish in para powerlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
After Day 4, India stood eighth in the medal tally with two silvers, one gold, and one bronze. Australia leads the chart with 39 medals, including 17 gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze.
