Raja Muthupandi wins CWG 2026 silver in 65kg weightlifting; Modi congratulates
Synopsis
India's weightlifting squad turned Day 4 of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 into a medal sweep — gold from Mirabai Chanu and silvers from Rishikanta Singh and Raja Muthupandi. Raja's 286kg total in the 65kg event capped the country's most productive single day in the sport at a CWG, with PM Modi personally congratulating each lifter on X.
Key Takeaways
Raja Muthupandi won silver in the men's 65kg event at CWG 2026 in Glasgow with a combined lift of 286kg .
He lifted 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk.
Malaysia's Aznil Bidin took gold with a Commonwealth Games record of 299kg .
Mirabai Chanu won gold in the women's 48kg event — her third successive CWG gold and fourth CWG medal overall.
Rishikanta Singh Chanambam also won silver in the men's 60kg event, setting a personal best.
India's overall CWG 2026 tally stands at four medals : 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze .
Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi claimed the silver medal in the men's 65kg event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on Sunday, 27 July, lifting a combined 286kg to finish on the podium. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Tamil Nadu lifter on Monday, calling his achievement a source of pride for every Indian.
Raja's Winning Performance
Raja registered 126kg in the snatch and followed it with a 160kg clean and jerk to post a combined total of 286kg. Malaysia's Aznil Bidin claimed the gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg, edging Raja to second place. The performance capped a standout outing for the Indian lifter on Day 4 of the Games.
Modi's Message on X
Congratulating Raja in a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote, 'Another medal for India in weightlifting! Congrats to Raja Muthupandi on winning a silver in the men's 65 kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His success makes every Indian happy and proud. My best wishes for his upcoming endeavours.'
India's Weightlifting Sweep on Day 4
Raja's silver was the third weightlifting medal India secured on the same day. Earlier, Rishikanta Singh Chanambam opened India's account in the sport with a silver in the men's 60kg category, achieving a personal best in the process. Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu then produced a golden performance in the women's 48kg event, marking her third successive Commonwealth Games gold and the fourth CWG medal of her career.
Modi had separately hailed Mirabai's consistency, writing, 'Another glorious chapter in Indian weightlifting! The talented Mirabai Chanu once again showcased her skills at the Commonwealth Games with a stunning performance in the 48 kg category and winning gold. With back-to-back Commonwealth Games golds and an overall fourth CWG medal to her name, she remains an inspiration for every Indian.' He had also praised Rishikanta, noting the Manipuri lifter's 'determination and outstanding performance' in winning silver while setting a personal best.
India's Overall Medal Tally
The three weightlifting medals — Mirabai's gold and the silvers won by Rishikanta and Raja — pushed India's overall Commonwealth Games 2026 tally to four medals: one gold, two silver, and one bronze. Weightlifting has emerged as one of the most productive disciplines for India at the Glasgow Games, and the squad's depth across weight categories signals a strong pipeline heading into future multi-sport events.
Point of View
A Manipuri champion, and a Manipuri newcomer, all peaking at the same Games. The harder question is whether this depth translates beyond the Commonwealth level, where Indian weightlifters have historically struggled to match podium performances at the World Championships and Olympics. Medals at Glasgow are meaningful, but the metric that matters is Paris 2028 qualification.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Raja Muthupandi perform at CWG 2026?
Raja Muthupandi won the silver medal in the men's 65kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, lifting a combined 286kg — 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk. Malaysia's Aznil Bidin took gold with a Games-record 299kg.
What did PM Modi say about Raja Muthupandi?
PM Modi congratulated Raja in a post on X, writing: 'Another medal for India in weightlifting! Congrats to Raja Muthupandi on winning a silver in the men's 65 kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His success makes every Indian happy and proud.'
How many medals did India win in weightlifting on Day 4 of CWG 2026?
India won three weightlifting medals on Day 4 — a gold from Mirabai Chanu in the women's 48kg event and silvers from Rishikanta Singh Chanambam in the men's 60kg and Raja Muthupandi in the men's 65kg events.
What is Mirabai Chanu's CWG record?
Mirabai Chanu's gold at CWG 2026 in Glasgow is her third successive Commonwealth Games gold medal and the fourth CWG medal of her career, cementing her status as India's most decorated weightlifter at the Games.
What is India's overall medal tally at CWG 2026 after Day 4?
India's overall tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026 stands at four medals after Day 4 — one gold, two silver, and one bronze — with weightlifting contributing three of those four medals.
