It is not easy being Jhandu Kumar.
For someone who has battled poverty for most of his life, winning the bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games at the Scottish Event Campus here on Friday was nothing short of extraordinary.
When Jhandu won India’s first medal of the Games amassing 130.9 points after successfully lifting 181kg and 190kg, it was around 9.15 p.m. local time (1.45 a.m. IST on Saturday), when most people back home were asleep. But the handful of Indian supporters and officials at the campus applauded an athlete whose journey to the podium had been paved with hardship and sacrifice.
“I would like to thank my coaches and parents,” Jhandu told the mediapersons.
Also read | From selling vegetables on a pavement to the Commonwealth Games podium – Jhandu Kumar’s story
As each lifter let out a roar before attempting every bench press of the competition, Jhandu remained characteristically composed. There was little outward emotion from the Indian, perhaps because he had long internalised the pain and struggles that life had thrown at him.
Born in Harnaut in Bihar’s Nalanda district, Jhandu comes from a humble family. The son of a vegetable vendor, he spent much of his childhood helping his parents sell vegetables. To supplement the family’s income, he also took up odd jobs and even drove an e-rickshaw after the family’s financial situation worsened.
When Sportstar asked Jhandu about those difficult years after his bronze-medal performance, he paused for a moment. He couldn’t say much — possibly reflecting on the long journey taken by both him and his family.
Before he could respond, J.P. Singh, the head coach of the Indian men’s and women’s para powerlifting team, stepped in with an emotional appeal.
“I request both the Central Government and the State Government[s] to reward Jhandu appropriately and provide him with a government job. He truly deserves it after everything he has gone through,” Singh told this publication.
Jhandu Kumar’s life changed when Paralympic medallist Rajendra Singh Rahelu spotted his talent and brought him to the Sports Authority of India’s | Photo Credit: K. Keerthivasan
Jhandu’s life changed when Paralympic medallist Rajendra Singh Rahelu spotted his talent and brought him to the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar, where he has trained ever since. Watching his protege deliver India’s first medal of the Games was an emotional moment for the veteran coach.
A national champion in 72kg in 2024-25 (representing Bihar) with a best lift of 205kg, Jhandu had earlier won a bronze medal at the 2025 para powerlifting World Cup in Beijing, establishing himself as one of India’s brightest prospects in the sport.
“He can do even better and win gold medals at the World Championships,” Rahelu told Sportstar. “He has excellent technique and, more importantly, he is mentally very strong.”
Singh echoed those sentiments, praising Jhandu’s calm demeanour and quiet determination.
As Jhandu was wheeled away after patiently obliging every interview request, he quietly acknowledged the appreciations from volunteers, officials and passers-by with a gentle smile before disappearing into the Glasgow night.
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Published on Jul 25, 2026