Jhandu Kumar Wins Bronze in Para Powerlifting at Commonwealth Games

India's Jhandu Kumar has won a bronze medal in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Kumar, who was born with polio, lifted 130.9 kg to secure the third position.

He competed in a two-group field and topped Group B, finishing ahead of Uganda's Dennis Mbaziira and Australia's Ben Wright. In the combined standings, Nigeria's Riluwan Idris won the gold medal with a lift of 132.8 kg, while England's Matthew Harding claimed silver with 131.0 kg.

Kumar's effort was enough to secure the bronze medal, finishing just 0.1 behind Harding in a closely contested battle for silver. The bronze medal continues India's encouraging run in para sports at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Kumar, who was born on January 1, 1997, in Harnaut, Nalanda district of Bihar, comes from a humble family. He is the son of a vegetable vendor and overcame financial and physical challenges through determination and hard work. He began his sporting career in 2017 as a para athletics athlete and later switched to para powerlifting.

Earlier in the day, Ashok Malik narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the men's lightweight para-powerlifting event, finishing fourth with 143.8 points. Malik stayed in medal contention throughout the competition but eventually finished behind Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who took the bronze with 153.5 points.

Kumar's win is an inspiration to many, and his coach, Rajinder Singh Rahelu, said that it feels great to have started India's journey to winning medals at the Commonwealth Games. Kumar's determination and hard work have paid off, and he has made the country proud.

The Commonwealth Games 2026 have seen India's para athletes perform well, and Kumar's bronze medal is a testament to their hard work and dedication. The country is proud of its para athletes, and their achievements will inspire many others to take up sports.

Kumar's win is not just a personal achievement but also a milestone for India's para sports. It shows that with determination and hard work, anything is possible. The country will be looking forward to more medals from its para athletes in the upcoming events.

In conclusion, Jhandu Kumar's bronze medal in para powerlifting is a significant achievement for India. It is a testament to his hard work and determination, and it will inspire many others to take up sports. The country is proud of its para athletes, and their achievements will be remembered for a long time.

The impact of Kumar's win will be felt for a long time, and it will inspire many others to take up para sports. The country will be looking forward to more medals from its para athletes in the upcoming events. With this win, India has once again shown that it is a force to be reckoned with in the world of para sports.

The future of para sports in India looks bright, and Kumar's win is a significant step in that direction. The country will be looking forward to more achievements from its para athletes, and Kumar's bronze medal will be remembered as a milestone in India's para sports journey.