India proudly kicked off its journey at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a remarkable story of resilience. Jhandu Kumar, a 29-year-old former e-rickshaw driver and the son of a street vegetable vendor from Bihar, captured a historic bronze medal in the Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting event in Glasgow, marking India’s first medal of the Games.
Jhandu’s achievement came after a tough fourth-place finish in the men’s lightweight event earlier in the day. However, he turned that disappointment into joy with an impressive performance against a field of top-tier lifters.
In para powerlifting, athletes are categorized based on body weight and the weights they lift, with medals determined through a complex scoring system. Competitors are divided into groups, and typically, those in Group A have an advantage. In the earlier lightweight event, all the medals went to Group A participants.
But Jhandu, competing from Group B, changed the narrative. He began his event with confidence, lifting an impressive 190kg, which put him in the lead with a score of 130.9 points at the halfway mark. While he fell short of his personal best by 8kg, his efficient lift set a high standard for others.
In his final attempt, Jhandu pushed for a lift of 196kg but just missed the mark. Nevertheless, his earlier lift had already secured him a strong position. Commentators quickly noted that his score would likely be tough for the Group A competitors to beat.
Reflecting on his missed lift, Jhandu explained, “The bar got stuck in the rack, messing with my timing.” He expressed how meaningful it was to secure the first medal for India in Glasgow, saying, “When I see my flag, I feel very happy.”
As the stronger Group A lifters took their turns, Jhandu’s total remained a challenging target. Nigeria’s Riluwan Idris eventually took gold with a 208kg lift for 132.8 points, with England’s Matthew Harding earning silver at 199kg and 131.0 points, just ahead of Jhandu. Jhandu held on to third place, as none of the other competitors reached 130 points.
Overwhelmed by his achievement, Jhandu stated, “I cannot express my happiness. First, I’ll call my parents and my friend Gautam, who trained with me since childhood.”
Unfortunately, India’s Sudhir, who had previously won gold but faced disqualification for doping, finished sixth in this event.
### Who Is Jhandu Kumar?
Jhandu’s bronze medal represents a victory over immense challenges. Born in Harnaut in Bihar, he has battled polio since childhood. He grew up in a humble home, helping his father sell vegetables and later driving an e-rickshaw during the COVID-19 pandemic to support his family.
His athletic career began in 2017 with para athletics, where he won several medals in shot put and discus. His interest shifted to powerlifting after he began training in the gym, leading to his transition into this discipline.
After facing setbacks early in his career, including struggling at his debut National Championship due to financial constraints, he caught the attention of Paralympic bronze medalist Rajinder Singh Rahelu. Jhandu was invited to train at the SAI National Centre of Excellence, which significantly propelled his career.
He emerged as India’s top lifter in the 72kg category, setting a national record with a 205kg lift, which he later improved to 206kg. His international accolades include bronze medals from the 2025 Beijing World Cup and the 2026 Asian & Oceania Championships.
With a Commonwealth Games medal now around his neck, Jhandu has not only opened India’s medal tally in Glasgow but has also set his sights on a higher goal: winning a medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
