Rajinder Singh Rahelu, coach of Indian para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar, stated that the team had aimed for a gold medal but a slight error in calculations and miscommunication prevented them from securing the top position at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.
Speaking after Jhandu secured the bronze medal, Rahelu said, “It’s a very good thing, feeling very good. We already knew, we had done the calculations. We had targeted gold, but for some reason, it was missed.”
The coach described the competition for gold as strong and explained that the narrow miss was due to some miscommunication and calculation difficulties. “The competition for gold was very tough, as we saw. But it wasn’t that; it was just miscommunication. I was a bit far, and there was some difficulty in calculation. As you saw, the medal was missed by just two points,” he added.
Rahelu further explained that a two-point difference in para powerlifting corresponds to approximately 2-3 kilograms, highlighting how close the contest was. “Two points means 2-3 kilograms. But considering how the body performs in such close calls, there was a slight error in calculation. But it’s okay, we have a medal, and we’ve opened India’s account, which is a very good thing,” he said.
Jhandu earned the bronze with a best successful lift of 190kg, gaining 130.9 points. He started strongly by lifting 181kg on his first attempt for 124.7 points before improving to 190kg on his second lift, briefly moving him into the lead.
On his final attempt, Jhandu attempted a 196kg lift that would have set a new Commonwealth Games record, surpassing the mark set at Birmingham 2022, but he was unsuccessful and finished with bronze.
Earlier in the event, India’s lightweight para powerlifters did not win medals. Ashok finished fourth with a personal best of 200kg and 143.8 points, while Paramjeet Kumar placed seventh with 176kg and 135.6 points.
In the women’s lightweight category, Jaspreet Kaur came sixth after lifting 100kg for 96.4 points, and Suman Devi was seventh with a 100kg lift and 88.4 points.
Kasthuri Rajamani did not register a valid lift in the women’s heavyweight final after failing all three attempts.
Jhandu Kumar’s bronze medal marked India’s first para powerlifting podium finish at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
