India won its first medal in the Commonwealth Games 2026 when Jhandu Kumar claimed a bronze medal on the second day (24th July). It was the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event, from which India earned its first medal in Glasgow 2026.
On Friday (24th July), Sudhir Singh and Jhandu Kumar represented India in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event final. Sudhir fought in Group A, while Jhandu was in Group B.
Impressive Jhandu Kumar won bronze medal; India won first CWG 2026 medal
Jhandu Kumar was really impressive, successfully lifting 181kg and 190kg, earning 130.9 points. However, the 28-year-old later failed to lift 196kg. Meanwhile, Sudhir successfully recorded 182kg and 183kg lifts to secure 114.1 points.
To compete against the Indians and others, English Matthew Harding successfully managed 195kg and 199kg lifts, producing 131 points, and pushed Jhandu to the second position.
Later, Nigerian Riluwan Idris powerfully recorded successful lifts of 200 kg and 208 kg to strongly set the gold medal challenge. While he failed the 212kg lift, Matthew and Sudhir missed 200kg and 211kg lifts, respectively.
Although Ghanaian Tahiru Haruna succeeded in lifting 212kg on his second attempt, he later failed to lift 218kg, finishing in seventh place with 112 points.
Ultimately, Nigerian Riluwna Idris won the gold medal with 132.8 points, while English Matthew Harding secured the silver medal with 131 points. Indian Jhandu Kumar claimed the bronze medal, while his native Sudhir Singh finished in sixth position.
Who is Jhandu Kumar?
Due to contracting polio at a young age, Jhandu Kumar has faced permanent disability in his leg. He hails from Harnaut in Bihar’s Nalanda district. To support home financialy, he worked alongside his father selling vegetables. During COVID-19, he even drove an e-rickshaw.
As a para-athlete, Jhandu is a multi-sport talent. While he won district and state-level medals in the shot put and discus throw events, his coach reportedly suggested focusing on para powerlifting. While he won a silver medal in his first para powerlifting competition, Paralympic bronze medallist Rajinder Singh Rahelu later invited him to train at the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar.
Jhandu won back-to-back national titles, while setting national records multiple times in the men’s 72kg category after successfully lifting 205kg and 206kg. He has also achieved multiple international successes, even before the CWG 2026, by winning bronze medals at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup and the Asia-Oceania Open Championships. In the World Para Powerlifting Championships 2025, he finished in fifth place.
