Indian weightlifters continue to put up a stellar performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with young weightlifter Ajay Babu Valluri securing a silver medal in the men's 79kg category late on Monday night. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, the promising lifter lifted a cumulative total of 330 kg to push India's total medal count at the Games to ten. The competition reached a dramatic climax as Ajay narrowly missed out on the gold medal by a tiny margin of just 1 kilogram. Malaysia's Ery Hidayat Muhammad posted a total lift of 331 kg to create a new Games record and capture the gold medal.
Dominant Performance in the Snatch Round
The competition kicked off with the snatch round, where Ajay Babu Valluri made a solid start. On his very first attempt, he successfully lifted 145 kg with complete composure. Although he failed to lift 149 kg on his second attempt, he demonstrated great determination in his final opportunity. On his third and final try, Ajay staged a remarkable comeback by successfully lifting 149 kg. With this performance, he established a new Games record in the snatch event and ended the round in first position. England's Chris Murray closely followed him in second place with a 148 kg lift, while Malaysia's Ery Hidayat held third place with 147 kg.
Tense Drama in the Clean and Jerk Final
The battle for top honors intensified significantly during the clean and jerk section. Malaysia's Ery Hidayat raised the bar by lifting 181 kg, setting a temporary Games record. Responding to the pressure, Ajay Babu showcased remarkable endurance and lifted 181 kg as well, equaling the newly set record and bringing his combined total to 330 kg. However, in the deciding moment of the contest, Hidayat attempted 184 kg on his final turn and succeeded, setting another Games record. With a total score of 331 kg (147 kg in Snatch and 184 kg in Clean and Jerk), Hidayat sealed the gold medal. Consequently, Ajay settled for the silver medal with his 330 kg total, while England's Chris Murray secured the bronze medal with a overall lift of 325 kg.
India's Sixth Weightlifting Medal at the Games
Ajay Babu's silver marks the sixth medal for India in weightlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Monday turned out to be an exceptionally successful day for the Indian contingent, yielding three medals in weightlifting alone. Earlier in the event, Mirabai Chanu delivered a stellar performance to win a gold medal for India. In addition, Rishikanta Singh, Raja Muthupandi, and Gyaneshwari Yadav all earned silver medals in their respective weight categories, while Bindyarani Devi bagged a bronze medal for the country.
Journey from Vizianagaram to International Fame
Hailing from the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, Ajay Babu Valluri has emerged as one of India's most promising weightlifting talents over recent years. In 2025, he clinched a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championship in the men's 79kg division with a personal best lift of 335 kg overall (152 kg in Snatch and 183 kg in Clean and Jerk). That triumph granted him direct qualification for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. By securing a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Ajay Babu has firmly established his potential to become one of India's premier sporting stars in the years ahead.
