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Jhandu Kumar, Who Overcame Polio, Poverty And Years Of Odd Jobs, Is India’s 1st CWG 2026 Medallist
India’s Jhandu Kumar overcame a childhood marked by polio, poverty, and years of odd jobs to secure the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games on Friday, delivering the country’s first medal of the competition. The 28-year-old amassed 130.9 points to finish on the podium after successfully lifting 181kg and 190kg. He failed in his final attempt at 196kg. The other Indian in the fray, Sudhir (114.1), finished sixth. Nigeria’s Idris Riluwan scored 132.8 points to win the gold, while Matthew Harding (131) took home the silver medal.
Kumar’s triumph capped a remarkable rise from Harnaut village in Bihar’s Nalanda district, where he helped his parents sell vegetables to support the family after contracting polio at the age of five.
With little financial backing, Kumar initially took up weight training between 2010 and 2012 simply to build strength before trying shot put and javelin. He eventually found his calling in para powerlifting.
The biggest hurdle, however, came outside the gym.
Unable to afford the nutrition required for elite competition, Kumar ran a small vegetable business, travelling nearly 20 kilometres to local markets despite not owning a wheelchair. He later borrowed money from friends to buy an e-rickshaw to earn a livelihood, but those plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
His perseverance eventually paid off as he climbed onto the Commonwealth Games podium, giving India an early boost in the para-sports programme.
Earlier in the day, Ashok Malik narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s lightweight competition, finishing fourth with 143.8 points.
England’s Mark Swan won gold with 153.9 points, edging Nigeria’s Roland Ezuruike, who matched that score but settled for silver, while Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin claimed bronze with 153.5 points.
India’s Paramjeet Kumar finished seventh with 135.6 points.
In the women’s heavyweight final, Kasthuri Rajamani failed in all three of her attempts.
In the women’s lightweight final, Jaspreet Kaur and Suman Devi failed to win medals
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