Who is Jhandu Kumar? All you need to know about India’s first medallist at Commonwealth Games 2026
Jhandu Kumar wins his maiden Commonwealth Games medal
India earned their first medal in the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, on Friday, July 24. Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar clinched a bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight event at the Armadillo Arena during Day 2 of the tournament.
The 28-year-old para powerlifter from rural Bihar produced successful lifts of 181 kg and 190 kg to finish with 130.9 points and secure a podium finish. He also challenged for the gold, but narrowly missed out after failing to complete his final attempt of 196 kg because of a minor foul.
Nigeria’s Idris Riluwan eventually bagged the gold with 132.8 points, while Great Britain’s Matthew Harding clinched silver with 131 points.
Still, Kumar’s bronze medal marked India’s first in the Glasgow Games. Despite the contingent being hit with several disqualifications due to anti-doping violations, the nation has made a decent start, with boxer Lovlina Borgohain also being assured of a medal in her event.
Also Read: Lovlina Borgohain assures India’s first medal at Commonwealth Games 2026
Jhandu Kumar’s life and career
Born in 1977 in the Harnaut area of Bihar’s Nalanda district, Kumar suffered an early setback after contracting polio at the age of five. This left him with a disability affecting both his legs.
He was raised by a family of vegetable vendors and spent much of his childhood helping his parents sell vegetables to support the household.
Due to financial constraints, Kumar ran a small vegetable business, travelling over 20 kilometres on a shared van and a hand-operated tricycle to reach the wholesale vegetable market in Bihar Sharif. He even drove an e-rickshaw during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He took up weight training between 2010 and 2012. He made his debut as a para athlete in 2017, competing in F55 shot put and discus throw, winning medals at district and state competitions.
Kumar’s strength caught the coaches’ eye, who encouraged him to switch to para powerlifting. He began training under Rajinder Singh Rahelu at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar.
Soon, he became one of the top para powerlifters in the country, and the medals started coming. He set a national record at the National Championships 2025 and then broke his own record with a successful 206 kg lift at the Khelo India Para Games 2025.
Following a fifth-place finish at the World Championships 2025, he won bronze medals at the Beijing World Cup 2025 and the Asia & Oceania Championships 2026. He also bagged gold medals in back-to-back National Championships in 2025 and 2026.
Now, having bagged his maiden Commonwealth Games medal, Kumar will look to carry this form to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.
Where and when will Commonwealth Games 2026 take place?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
What medal did Jhandu Kumar win at the Commonwealth Games 2026?
He won a bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event at Glasgow 2026, lifting 181 kg and 190 kg to finish with 130.9 points.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.