Bihar’s Jhandu Kumar secures India’s first para powerlifting medal at Commonwealth Games
Jhandu Kumar, a para powerlifter from Bihar, has secured India’s first para powerlifting medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He clinched the bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight event on Friday, marking a significant achievement in his athletic journey.
Kumar’s bronze medal performance involved a lift of 190kg in his second attempt, contributing to 130.9 points and securing his place on the podium. He began his performance with a successful lift of 181kg. During his final attempt, he aimed for a Commonwealth Games record of 196kg, though he was unable to complete the lift.
A Journey of Perseverance
Kumar’s path to the Commonwealth Games podium has been marked by numerous challenges. Affected by polio at the age of five, he faced both physical and financial difficulties from an early age. His family’s vegetable shop in Harnaut Bazaar, Nalanda district, experienced a temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic due to overbridge construction. To support his family, he began driving an e-rickshaw.
Despite these hardships, Kumar maintained his commitment to training. He regularly travelled nearly 20km to Bihar Sharif to purchase vegetables, which he would then sell in the market. After finishing his work around 4 pm, he would proceed to the gym for training. His daily earnings of Rs 400-500 were often barely sufficient for household expenses, with protein supplements alone costing approximately Rs 1,000.
In 2023, Kumar made the decision to sell his e-rickshaw to participate in the National Para Powerlifting Championships. This initial gamble did not yield immediate success, as he was unable to register a valid lift at the competition.
Breakthrough and Support
Despite the initial setback, Kumar’s dedication caught the attention of national coach Rajinder Singh Rahelu. Rahelu extended an invitation for Kumar to train at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar. This opportunity proved to be a turning point in his career.
Following this, Kumar achieved a silver medal at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games. He subsequently earned medals in various national and international competitions, including a bronze at the Asia-Oceania Open Para Powerlifting Championships. He expressed gratitude to the Sports Authority of India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for their support, stating that the medal, in a way, belongs to them.
Kumar’s bronze medal is India’s first in para powerlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Other Indian athletes also competed in para powerlifting events. Ashok Malik finished fourth in the men’s lightweight final with a personal-best lift of 200kg, while Paramjeet Kumar secured seventh place in the same event. In the women’s events, Jaspreet Kaur finished sixth, Suman Devi placed seventh, and Kasthuri Rajamani did not register a valid lift in the heavyweight final.
Kumar, who is 28 years old, reflected on his achievement, stating that he felt as if he was flying and that his primary focus was to win a medal. He also indicated his intention to strive for even better results in the future. His journey from selling vegetables and driving an e-rickshaw to becoming a Commonwealth Games medallist highlights his determination and sacrifice.
The medal represents not only a personal sporting achievement but also a testament to his unwavering belief and perseverance through significant challenges.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
