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India opened its medal account at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday after para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar clinched the bronze medal in the men's heavyweight event.
The 28-year-old amassed 130.9 points to finish third after successful lifts of 181kg and 190kg. He narrowly missed a Games record with his final attempt of 196kg, which proved unsuccessful.
Fellow Indian Sudhir finished sixth with 114.1 points.
Nigeria's Idris Riluwan claimed the gold medal with 132.8 points, while England's Matthew Harding secured silver with 131 points.
Kumar's medal capped years of struggle that began in Harnaut village in Bihar's Nalanda district, where he contracted polio at the age of five and later helped his parents sell vegetables to support the family.
Unable to afford proper nutrition for elite competition, Kumar worked a series of odd jobs, including running a vegetable business and travelling nearly 20 kilometres to local markets despite not owning a wheelchair. He later borrowed money to purchase an e-rickshaw to earn a livelihood, but those plans were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After initially taking up weight training between 2010 and 2012 to improve his physical strength, Kumar briefly tried shot put and javelin before discovering para powerlifting, the sport that eventually transformed his career.
An emotional Kumar dedicated the achievement to his family and those who supported him through his journey.
"I cannot express my happiness. First of all, I will call my parents at home. And Gautam bhaiya, who was my first companion, whom I have practiced with since my childhood," he said after winning the bronze medal.
Reflecting on India's first medal of the Games, Kumar added, "It is very important for India, the first medal. When I see my flag, I feel very happy."
Explaining his failed final lift, he said, "What happened was that it (barbell) got stuck in the rack, so I had a little problem with the timing."
Earlier in the competition, Ashok Malik narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the men's lightweight category after finishing fourth with 143.8 points.
England's Mark Swan won the gold medal with 153.9 points, edging Nigeria's Roland Ezuruike, who matched that score but settled for silver on countback, while Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin took bronze with 153.5 points.
India's Paramjeet Kumar finished seventh with 135.6 points.
In the women's events, Kasthuri Rajamani failed to register a successful lift in the heavyweight final, while Jaspreet Kaur and Suman Devi also finished outside the medals in the women's lightweight competition.
The 28-year-old amassed 130.9 points to finish third after successful lifts of 181kg and 190kg. He narrowly missed a Games record with his final attempt of 196kg, which proved unsuccessful.
Fellow Indian Sudhir finished sixth with 114.1 points.
Nigeria's Idris Riluwan claimed the gold medal with 132.8 points, while England's Matthew Harding secured silver with 131 points.
Kumar's medal capped years of struggle that began in Harnaut village in Bihar's Nalanda district, where he contracted polio at the age of five and later helped his parents sell vegetables to support the family.
Unable to afford proper nutrition for elite competition, Kumar worked a series of odd jobs, including running a vegetable business and travelling nearly 20 kilometres to local markets despite not owning a wheelchair. He later borrowed money to purchase an e-rickshaw to earn a livelihood, but those plans were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After initially taking up weight training between 2010 and 2012 to improve his physical strength, Kumar briefly tried shot put and javelin before discovering para powerlifting, the sport that eventually transformed his career.
An emotional Kumar dedicated the achievement to his family and those who supported him through his journey.
"I cannot express my happiness. First of all, I will call my parents at home. And Gautam bhaiya, who was my first companion, whom I have practiced with since my childhood," he said after winning the bronze medal.
Reflecting on India's first medal of the Games, Kumar added, "It is very important for India, the first medal. When I see my flag, I feel very happy."
Explaining his failed final lift, he said, "What happened was that it (barbell) got stuck in the rack, so I had a little problem with the timing."
Earlier in the competition, Ashok Malik narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the men's lightweight category after finishing fourth with 143.8 points.
England's Mark Swan won the gold medal with 153.9 points, edging Nigeria's Roland Ezuruike, who matched that score but settled for silver on countback, while Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin took bronze with 153.5 points.
India's Paramjeet Kumar finished seventh with 135.6 points.
In the women's events, Kasthuri Rajamani failed to register a successful lift in the heavyweight final, while Jaspreet Kaur and Suman Devi also finished outside the medals in the women's lightweight competition.
