Jhandu Kumar gets ₹10 lakh reward from Sports Min Mandaviya after CWG 2026 bronze
Synopsis
Jhandu Kumar — a polio-affected son of a vegetable vendor from Bihar — opened India's medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with a bronze in men's heavyweight para powerlifting, finishing just 0.1 points behind silver. Sports Minister Mandaviya met him in New Delhi and handed him a ₹10 lakh cash reward.
Key Takeaways
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar with a ₹10 lakh cash reward on 27 July .
Kumar won bronze in men's heavyweight para powerlifting at Commonwealth Games 2026 , Glasgow, with 130.9 points and a best lift of 190 kg .
He was India's first medallist at the Games, opening the national tally.
Kumar missed silver by just 0.1 points , finishing behind England's Matthew Harding (131.0).
Born in Harnaut, Bihar , Kumar has been affected by polio since birth and began his sporting career in 2017 .
He holds a national record lift of 206 kg , set at the Khelo India Para Games.
Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar was felicitated with a cash reward of ₹10 lakh by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday, 27 July, following his historic bronze medal win at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Kumar became the first Indian medallist at the Games, opening the country's account in the men's heavyweight para-powerlifting event with a score of 130.9 points and a best lift of 190 kg.
How the Medal Was Won
Competing in a two-group format, Kumar topped Group B with 130.9 points, finishing well ahead of Uganda's Dennis Mbaziira (114.1) and Australia's Ben Wright (110.9) to advance into medal contention.
In the combined standings, Nigeria's Riluwan Idris claimed gold with the best overall lift of 132.8 points, while England's Matthew Harding took silver at 131.0. Kumar's 130.9 secured bronze — a margin of just 0.1 points behind Harding in what was a tightly contested battle for silver.
What the Sports Minister Said
'Delighted to meet para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar, who made Bharat proud by winning the Bronze medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. His achievement is a testament to PM Narendra Modi's vision of mainstreaming para-sports and ensuring that our para-athletes receive the same priority, support, and opportunities as every other athlete,' Mandaviya said in a post on X, sharing glimpses from the felicitation meeting.
From Harnaut to Glasgow: Kumar's Journey
Born in Harnaut, Nalanda district, Bihar, Kumar has been affected by polio since birth. The son of a vegetable vendor, he began his sporting career in 2017 as a para athletics athlete, competing in the F55 shot put and discus throw events, winning several district and state-level medals before strength training drew him toward powerlifting.
Following a recommendation at a state championship, he transitioned to para powerlifting under the guidance of coach Rajinder Singh Rahelu. The results were swift: in 2025, he set a national record with a 205 kg lift at the National Championships and improved it to 206 kg at the Khelo India Para Games.
A Record of Rising Performances
Kumar's international breakthrough came with a bronze at the Beijing World Cup 2025, followed by another bronze at the Asian and Oceania Championships 2026, which secured his Commonwealth Games qualification. His Glasgow bronze is his highest-profile medal to date and places him among India's foremost para powerlifters heading into the next major international cycle.
Point of View
He reached Glasgow through state championships, a coach's timely advice, and a national record set at Khelo India. The ₹10 lakh reward is welcome, but the more consequential question is whether the para-sports pipeline that produced Kumar is being deepened or merely celebrated. India's para athletes have repeatedly punched above their weight at international events; the system's job is to ensure that talent from districts like Nalanda does not depend on individual luck to find its way to a world stage.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jhandu Kumar and what did he win at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Jhandu Kumar is an Indian para powerlifter from Harnaut, Nalanda district, Bihar, who won a bronze medal in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He scored 130.9 points with a best lift of 190 kg, becoming India's first medallist at the Games.
How much cash reward did Jhandu Kumar receive and who gave it?
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated Jhandu Kumar with a cash reward of ₹10 lakh on 27 July in New Delhi. The minister also praised Kumar's achievement as reflecting the government's commitment to mainstreaming para-sports.
By how much did Jhandu Kumar miss the silver medal?
Kumar finished just 0.1 points behind England's Matthew Harding (131.0) who won silver, making it one of the closest silver-bronze margins at the event. Nigeria's Riluwan Idris took gold with 132.8 points.
What is Jhandu Kumar's sporting background?
Kumar began competing in para athletics in 2017 in F55 shot put and discus throw before switching to para powerlifting. Under coach Rajinder Singh Rahelu, he set a national record of 206 kg at the Khelo India Para Games and won bronze at the Beijing World Cup 2025 and the Asian and Oceania Championships 2026.
What is Jhandu Kumar's national record in para powerlifting?
Kumar's national record stands at 206 kg, set at the Khelo India Para Games. He first set the record at 205 kg during the 2025 National Championships before improving it.
