India’s hopes of securing a gold medal in para powerlifting at the Commonwealth Games 2026 fell just short after Jhandu Kumar settled for bronze in the men’s heavyweight event. According to his coach, Rajinder Singh Rahelu, the outcome was not due to a lack of strength but rather a crucial “miscommunication” and slight error in calculations during the competition.
Jhandu delivered an impressive performance in Glasgow, successfully lifting 190kg on his second attempt to earn 130.9 points, briefly moving into the lead. For his final attempt, the Indian para powerlifter opted to lift 196kg, a weight that would have broken the Commonwealth Games meet record set at Birmingham 2022. However, he was unable to complete the lift, ultimately finishing with the bronze medal.
Speaking after the event, coach Rajinder Singh Rahelu said the team had entered the competition aiming for nothing less than gold.
“We had already done the calculations and targeted gold,” Rahelu said, explaining that the competition at the top was extremely close. He added that a slight miscommunication and a small error in judging the required lift cost Kumar the chance to finish first. According to the coach, the difference was only two points, which translates to approximately 2–3 kilograms in para powerlifting.
Despite the disappointment, Rahelu remained positive, noting that Jhandu’s bronze medal was a significant achievement as it opened India’s medal tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He praised the athlete’s determination and expressed confidence that lessons from the experience would help in future international competitions.
Jhandu Kumar’s journey to the podium has been one of remarkable perseverance. Hailing from Bihar, he overcame financial hardship, at times selling vegetables and driving an e-rickshaw to support his family before emerging as one of India’s top para powerlifters. His bronze medal marked a historic milestone and inspired millions across the country.
While the missed gold was a painful moment, India’s first medal at the Glasgow Games has provided an encouraging start to the nation’s campaign. With experience gained from this close contest, Jhandu Kumar and his coaching team will now focus on future international events, hoping to convert near misses into gold medals.
