India’s para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar won a bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026, dedicating the achievement to years of perseverance through financial hardship.
Moments after clinching the medal on Friday, Jhandu spoke about the difficult path that shaped his resolve, saying he had driven an e-rickshaw and sold vegetables to support himself while continuing to chase his sporting dream.
“I drove an e-rickshaw, sold vegetables and struggled a lot to support myself. But I never gave up on my dream. I always had faith that one day I would definitely win a medal for my country,” Jhandu told IANS.
How Jhandu Kumar secured the bronze
The men’s heavyweight para powerlifting competition was held in a two-group format. Jhandu topped Group B with a best result of 130.9, finishing ahead of Uganda’s Dennis Mbaziira (114.1) and Australia’s Ben Wright (110.9) to move into medal contention.
In the combined standings, Nigeria’s Riluwan Idris produced the best overall lift of 132.8 to win the gold medal. England’s Matthew Harding took silver with 131.0, while Jhandu’s 130.9 earned him the bronze.
The margins at the top were tight, with Jhandu ending just 0.1 behind Harding in the battle for silver. Still, his lift was enough to ensure India added another medal at the Games, with his performance standing out for both its competitiveness and the story behind it.
According to the report, Jhandu’s journey has been defined by sacrifice and relentless work, pushing through financial difficulties while continuing to pursue his ambitions in sport. His medal, he said, was not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the people who supported him through his toughest days.
Reflecting on the moment, Jhandu added that the bronze belongs to everyone who stood by him during the struggle, and that the success has further motivated him to aim for bigger honours in the future.
Why the medal matters for India at CWG 2026
Jhandu’s bronze contributes to India’s growing medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow and underlines the impact of para sport on the country’s overall campaign. Beyond the podium finish, his story has been highlighted as an example of grit and determination—showing how athletes from humble backgrounds can reach the highest stages through persistence and belief.
For India, the result is another positive moment at the Games, while for Jhandu, it marks a reward for years of hard work and a platform to target even bigger achievements going forward.
