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That’s a wrap from India’s opening day at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow!
Jhandu Kumar got India off the mark on the medals table by winning a bronze in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event.
Jadumani Singh launched India’s boxing campaign in style with a dominant victory to advance to the men’s 55kg round of 16.
In bowls, Putul Sonowal made it two wins from two in the men’s singles, while Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh also maintained their unbeaten start to move to the top of Group B in the women’s pairs.
Olympian Srihari Nataraj reached the men’s 50m backstroke semi-finals but missed out on a place in the final. Meanwhile, Indian para swimmer Ravi Veera Venkata Budigina finished fourth in the men’s S13 100m freestyle final, just outside the podium spots.
Day 2 promises another packed schedule for the Indian contingent as more medal events get underway in Glasgow.
Artistic gymnastics: Tapan Mohanty, Yogeshwar Singh reach all-around final
India’s Tapan Mohanty and Yogeshwar Singh qualified for the men’s all-around final after finishing 17th and 18th with combined scores of 71.700 and 71.400, respectively.
Swathish KP was named second reserve for the still rings final, while Yogeshwar Singh is also second reserve in the vault final.
Artistic gymnastics: India finish seventh in men’s team event
India’s Tapan Mohanty, Swathish KP, Tapeshwarnath Das and Yogeshwar Singh finished seventh in the men’s artistic gymnastics team event with a total of 208.550.
Who is Jhandu Kumar
Born in Harnaut, Nalanda district, Bihar, Jhandu Kumar is an Indian para powerlifter who competes in the men’s 72 kg category. The son of a vegetable vendor, Jhandu was affected by polio since birth and comes from a humble family.
He began his sporting career in 2017 as a para athletics athlete, competing in the F55 shot put and discus throw events, where he won several district and state-level medals.
During this period, strength training in the gym sparked his interest in powerlifting. Following a recommendation at a state championship, he switched to para powerlifting.
Although he failed to register a successful lift at his first National Championship, the setback became a turning point when Paralympic bronze medallist Rajinder Singh Rahelu identified his potential and invited him to train at the Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Gandhinagar.
Under the guidance of Rajinder Singh Rahelu, Jhandu rapidly progressed into one of India’s leading para powerlifters. In 2025, he set a new national record with a 205 kg lift at the National Championships and improved it further to 206 kg at the Khelo India Para Games.
His outstanding performances earned him a bronze medal at the Beijing World Cup 2025, followed by another bronze at the Asian & Oceania Championships 2026, and qualification for the Commonwealth Games 2026. He is now preparing with the long-term goal of winning a medal for India at the Los Angeles Paralympic Games 2028.
Para powerlifting: Jhandu Kumar opens India’s medal account with bronze
India’s Jhandu Kumar secured the country’s first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026, claiming bronze in the men’s heavyweight final with 130.9 points and a best lift of 190 kg.
Riluwan Idris of Nigeria won the gold medal, while Matthew Harding of England took silver. Defending champion Sudhir of India finished sixth with a total of 114.1 points.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/commonwealth-games-2026-glasgow-live-results-scores-updates-india-july-24
