India at Commonwealth Games 2026 Medal Tally: Jhandu Kumar Secures Bronze at Glasgow CWG
Discover India's performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as of July 25, 2026. Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar secured India's first medal, a bronze in the men's heavyweight event, in an inspiring display. Catch up on India's current medal tally and the inspiring stories behind the achievements.
India has officially marked its presence on the medal tally at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar securing the nation's first medal – a bronze – on Friday, July 24. This achievement places India 9th in the current medal standings with one bronze. Commonwealth Games 2026: Historic Braille Medals Debut at Glasgow.
A Historic Bronze for Jhandu Kumar
Jhandu Kumar's bronze in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at the SEC Armadillo was a moment of immense pride for the Indian contingent. Competing on Day 2 of the Games, the 28-year-old Bihar native delivered a powerful performance, successfully lifting 190kg on his second attempt. This earned him 130.9 points, determined by a bodyweight coefficient formula, which was enough to secure the third spot on the podium.
Kumar's journey to the Commonwealth Games podium is an inspiring tale of resilience. Affected by polio since birth, the son of a vegetable vendor from Harnaut, Nalanda district, overcame significant financial and physical challenges. He even drove an e-rickshaw during the COVID-19 pandemic to support his family. Upon winning, an emotional Kumar expressed his elation, stating he felt "as if I'm flying". His coach, Rajinder Singh Rahelu, lauded the achievement, highlighting the toughness of para powerlifting and the significance of winning a medal at this level.
This bronze medal is particularly noteworthy as it marks India's first-ever podium finish in para powerlifting at the Commonwealth Games, providing a crucial early boost to the team. While other Indian para powerlifters like Ashok Malik, Paramjeet Kumar, Jaspreet Kaur, and Suman Devi put in encouraging performances, they narrowly missed out on medals in their respective categories.
India's Contingent at a Glance
India has sent a strong 126-member athlete contingent to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, participating across 8 sports. The squad features prominent names like Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu had the honour of being India's opening ceremony flagbearer, while boxer Lovlina Borgohain served as the baton bearer during the same ceremony. Judoka and Olympian Tulika Maan Provisionally Suspended by NADA, Set To Miss CWG 2026 Glasgow: Report.
Medallists So Far
Here is a list of Indian medallists at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as of July 25, 2026:
| Athlete | Sport / Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| Jhandu Kumar | Para Powerlifting Men's Heavyweight | Bronze |
With several days of competition still ahead, India will be looking to build on this promising start. Athletes across various disciplines, including boxing, athletics, and wrestling, are expected to contend for more medals, aiming to improve the country's position on the overall medal table. The focus remains on consistent performances and bringing more glory to the nation as the Games progress.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2026 12:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
