Commonwealth Games 2026: Jhandu Kumar Wins Para Powerlifting Bronze, Extends India’s Medal Run

Glasgow: India's Jhandu Kumar delivered an inspiring performance to claim the bronze medal in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026, adding another podium finish to the country's growing medal tally in Glasgow.

Competing in a two-group field, Jhandu dominated Group B with a best score of 130.9, comfortably finishing ahead of Uganda's Dennis Mbaziira (114.1) and Australia's Ben Wright (110.9) to qualify for the overall medal race.

In the combined standings, Nigeria's Riluwan Idris secured the gold with a top lift worth 132.8 points, while England's Matthew Harding edged past Jhandu for silver with 131.0 points. Jhandu settled for bronze after finishing just 0.1 point behind Harding in a thrilling contest.

The medal marks another strong showing for India in para sports at the Glasgow Games, with Jhandu displaying remarkable composure under pressure.

Born on January 1, 1997, in Harnaut in Bihar's Nalanda district, Jhandu has battled polio since birth. The son of a vegetable vendor, he overcame financial hardships and physical challenges through perseverance. He initially competed in para athletics, winning medals in the F55 shot put and discus throw at district and state levels after taking up the sport in 2017. His interest in strength training eventually led him to switch to para powerlifting on the advice of officials during a state championship.

Earlier in the day, India narrowly missed another medal in the men's lightweight para powerlifting event. Ashok Malik finished fourth with 143.8 points, despite producing an impressive best lift of 200kg.

Malik remained in contention throughout the competition but was denied a podium finish by Malaysia's defending Commonwealth champion and world record holder Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who took bronze with 153.5 points.

England's Mark Swan claimed the gold with 153.9 points after lifting 222kg, while Nigeria's Roland Ezuruike settled for silver on countback despite matching Swan's points tally with a best lift of 185kg. The event also produced the first gold medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

India's Parmjeet Kumar placed seventh with 135.6 points in the same event. Scotland's Finlay Davidson finished fifth, followed by Nigeria's Ibrahim Dauda, Kenya's Ngungi Maringa, Australia's Daniel Bos, Cameroon's Belinga Manga, Solomon Islands' Moffet Tolomae and Malta's Nick Mercieca.

With inputs from IANS