India's Rishikanta Singh Chanambam delivered a record-breaking performance in the men's 60kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday. He lifted 121kg in the snatch to set a new Games record, but Malaysia's Mohamad Aniq Kasdan matched the mark moments later, leaving the two medal contenders tied at the top after the opening discipline, according to ESPN.
Record-Breaking Snatch Lifts
Entering the competition as one of the favorites after winning gold at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, Rishikanta began with a successful lift of 116kg before smoothly clearing 119kg to move to the top of the standings. With the previous Commonwealth Games snatch record standing at 120kg, the Indian opted for 121kg on his final attempt. Showing remarkable composure, Rishikanta executed the lift cleanly to register a new Games record and improve his personal best.
However, his lead was short-lived as Malaysia's Mohamad Aniq Kasdan, the Commonwealth record holder in the total, also successfully lifted 121kg moments later to equal the new Games mark. The two medal contenders finished the snatch phase tied at the top with 121kg each, setting up an intense battle in the clean and jerk.
Standings After Snatch
Kenya's Joshua Mboya occupied third place after producing a personal-best snatch of 115kg, while Sri Lanka's Supun Dilhara Somathilaka was fourth with 109kg. The competition remains wide open as the athletes head into the clean and jerk discipline.
Clean and Jerk Outlook
Heading into the clean and jerk, Rishikanta declared an opening attempt of 145kg, while Kasdan opted to start at 150kg. With both lifters level after the opening discipline, the contest for the Commonwealth Games gold medal remained finely poised, with the combined total from the snatch and clean and jerk set to determine the final podium.
The Indian weightlifter's performance has drawn praise from the sporting community, as he continues to build on his success from the 2025 Commonwealth Championships. The final outcome in the men's 60kg category is expected to be one of the most closely contested events of the 2026 Games.
