Jhandu, who hails from Nalanda district of Bihar, delivered a powerful performance by lifting 190 kg in his second attempt, earning 130.9 points and securing a place on the podium. He began the competition with a successful 181 kg lift before improving his performance. His final attempt of 196 kg had the potential to break the Commonwealth Games record set in Birmingham 2022, but he could not complete the lift.
Earlier, India narrowly missed out on medals in the lightweight categories. Ashok Malik finished fourth in the men’s lightweight final with a personal-best lift of 200 kg, while Paramjeet Kumar secured seventh place. In the women’s events, Jaspreet Kaur finished sixth, Suman Devi placed seventh, and Kasthuri Rajamani failed to register a valid lift in the heavyweight final.
Jhandu Kumar’s bronze medal holds special significance considering the challenges he overcame throughout his journey. He battled polio at a young age and faced financial difficulties while supporting his family. His commitment to strength training and para powerlifting helped him progress to the international stage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Jhandu Kumar through a social media post, describing his performance as spectacular. He highlighted that the achievement reflects immense strength, unwavering determination, and years of disciplined effort. Mr Modi added that by overcoming every challenge and excelling at the international level, Mr Kumar has made the entire nation proud and inspired countless Indians.
Jhandu Kumar’s achievement marks a memorable start for India at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and stands as a testament to resilience, dedication, and sporting excellence on the global stage.
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