Raja Muthupandi Wins Silver at Commonwealth Games 2026
Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi secured a silver medal in the men's 65kg event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. He dedicated the achievement to his parents and coach Vijay Sharma, while expressing disappointment at missing the gold.
Dedication and Disappointment
“I am certainly disappointed because my coach had placed his trust in me, believing we would put in the full effort to win gold. However, I didn't perform well. I dedicate this win to my parents and my coach, Vijay Sharma. I will focus on the lessons learned here and concentrate on my training. I will train according to my coach's instructions and work hard moving forward,” Raja told ANI after the event.
Performance Details
The 26-year-old lifted a combined total of 286kg to finish second on the podium. He recorded a best snatch of 126kg on his second attempt, then successfully lifted 160kg in the clean and jerk, also on his second attempt, to secure the silver medal. This was India's third medal of the day, continuing the nation's strong weightlifting performance at the Games.
Gold Medalist and Record
Malaysia's Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed clinched the gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg. This victory marked his third consecutive Commonwealth Games title, following his triumphs at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.
Comeback from Injury
Raja's silver medal represents a remarkable comeback. His career was threatened by a serious elbow ligament injury in 2019, and his rehabilitation was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the rise of Olympic champion Jeremy Lalrinnunga in a higher weight category kept him out of India's squad for the Birmingham 2022 Games. The introduction of the 65kg category opened a new opportunity for Raja, who rebuilt his career with consistent performances, including a ninth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships where he achieved a personal-best total of 299kg.
India's Successful Day in Weightlifting
Raja's podium finish added to India's successful day in weightlifting. Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu claimed her third successive Commonwealth Games gold in the women's 48kg category, while Chanambam Rishikanta Singh secured silver in the men's 60kg event.
Setback in Boxing
India's boxing campaign faced its first setback of the Games as Aditya Pratap Yadav exited the men's competition after a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to Uganda's Nuhu Batte in the pre-quarterfinals.
