Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi delivered a commendable performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, securing a silver medal in the men's 65 kg weightlifting category. The 26-year-old lifter hoisted a combined weight of 286 kg to capture second place, earning India its fourth medal in weightlifting at the ongoing quadrennial sporting event. His podium finish highlights an inspiring journey of perseverance, coming after a severe injury that once threatened to permanently end his professional weightlifting career.
Strong Performance in Snatch and Clean and Jerk Rounds
Raja Muthupandi built his platform for victory through consistent lifting across both phases of the competition. In the snatch portion of the 65 kg event, he asserted early authority by successfully executing a 126 kg lift on his second attempt. He carried that momentum straight into the clean and jerk section, where he comfortably managed 160 kg, also on his second try. His aggregate total of 286 kg sealed the silver medal position for India in Glasgow.
The top spot on the podium went to Malaysia's Aznil Bin Bidin Mohammad, who produced a gold-medal performance by lifting a game-record total of 299 kg. This triumph marked the Malaysian athlete's third consecutive gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, underlining his dominance in the discipline.
Overcoming a Severe Elbow Injury to Return to the Top
The significance of Raja Muthupandi's achievement extends far beyond the medal itself. Back in 2019, the young lifter suffered a major elbow injury that pushed his career to the brink of collapse. Due to protracted rehabilitation and recovery periods, he was forced to miss the 2022 Commonwealth Games hosted in Birmingham.
Rather than letting the setback end his ambitions, Muthupandi returned to elite action following the introduction of the 65 kg division in the national team setup. He progressively re-established his standing on the international scene, culminating in a standout showing at the 2025 World Championships. During that global competition, he recorded a career-best lift of 299 kg, placing ninth in the world and signaling his full readiness for multi-sport major events.
India's Medal Surge on Day Four and Overall Standings
Day four of the 2026 Commonwealth Games proved highly productive for the Indian contingent, yielding three new medals. Alongside Raja Muthupandi's silver in the 65 kg category, Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu secured a gold medal in the women's 48 kg division, registering her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal. In addition, Chanambam Rishikanta Singh claimed a silver medal in the men's 60 kg weightlifting event.
Earlier in the competition, powerlifter Zandu Kumar had opened India's account with a bronze medal on the second day. Together, these achievements bring India's total weightlifting tally at the games to four medals, consisting of one gold, two silvers, and one bronze. Following these results, India stands at seventh place in the overall medal tally. Australia continues to lead the leaderboard with 24 total medals, including 12 gold medals.
