India has officially opened its medal account at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with a remarkable performance by para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar. Competing in the Men's Heavyweight Para Powerlifting final, Kumar secured a bronze medal, marking a significant milestone for the Indian contingent in this edition of the games. His achievement has brought immense pride to the nation as he navigated through a highly competitive field to secure a spot on the podium.
Jhandu Kumar's Path to the Podium
Jhandu Kumar's journey to the bronze medal was marked by precision and strength. 7 points. This strong start provided him with the necessary momentum to push further, while building on this, he increased the weight to 190 kg in his second attempt. 9 points. This performance briefly put him at the top of the standings, showcasing his potential to compete with the best in the world.
In a daring move during his final attempt, Jhandu Kumar tried to lift 196 kg. This weight was significant as it would have broken the Commonwealth Games record set during the Birmingham 2022 games. Although he gave it his all, he was unable to complete the lift. Despite this, his previous successful lift of 190 kg was enough to secure the bronze medal, making it India's first medal in para-powerlifting at the Glasgow games.
Performance of Other Indian Athletes
While Jhandu Kumar celebrated his podium finish, other Indian para-powerlifters also put up a spirited fight but narrowly missed out on medals. In the Men's Lightweight final, Ashok delivered a commendable performance by lifting a personal best of 200 kg. 8 points. 6 points.
In the women's categories, the competition was equally intense, while 4 points. 4 points and a seventh-place finish. However, it was a difficult day for Kasturi Rajamani in the Women's Heavyweight final, while she was unable to record a valid lift as all three of her attempts were unsuccessful.
Emotional Reaction and Future Goals
Following his victory, Jhandu Kumar expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude. Speaking to ANI after the event, he described the feeling of winning his first major international medal as surreal, while "I feel like I am flying in the air. This is my first medal, while only one thing was going through my mind: I've to win a medal. I just have to win," he said. The athlete was visibly emotional as he reflected on the hard work that led to this moment.
Jhandu Kumar also took the opportunity to thank those who supported him throughout his journey. He expressed deep gratitude towards his family and coaches for their unwavering support and for allowing him to practice with dedication, while "I am very grateful that they let me practice so much and gave me so much love. I feel very good. I will try to do even better in the future," he added. His bronze medal has not only opened India's tally but has also set a positive tone for the rest of the Indian athletes competing in Glasgow.