Indian weightlifter Chanambam Rishikanta Singh secured the silver medal in the men's 60kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday, marking India's first medal of the Games. The 24-year-old lifted a combined total of 264kg (121kg snatch + 143kg clean and jerk), finishing behind Malaysia's Mohamad Aniq Kasdan, who set a new Games record with 273kg (121kg snatch + 152kg clean and jerk). Kenya's Joshua Mboya took bronze with 260kg (115kg + 145kg).
Record-Breaking Snatch and Gratitude
Rishikanta started strongly in the snatch, clearing 116kg and then 119kg before lifting 121kg on his final attempt, breaking the Commonwealth Games snatch record and setting a new personal best. Kasdan matched the 121kg lift shortly after, leaving the two tied after the snatch. Speaking to ANI, Rishikanta expressed his delight: "I am very happy. I want to express my gratitude to the Indian Weightlifting Federation and the Sports Minister; everyone provided immense support for the sport, enabling us to bring home this medal today. I am very happy and want to give credit to everyone involved." He specifically thanked Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and the federation for their backing.
Clean and Jerk Challenge
In the clean and jerk, Rishikanta opened safely with 143kg to take the overall lead temporarily with 264kg. Kasdan responded by lifting 145kg and then 149kg to move ahead with 270kg. Needing 151kg on his final attempt to reclaim the lead, Rishikanta completed the clean but could not lock out the jerk, ending his gold challenge. Kasdan capped his dominant performance with a 152kg lift for a Games record total of 273kg. Rishikanta admitted disappointment with his clean and jerk due to a knee issue: "I am not too satisfied because it did not go as good as I trained for in the clean and jerk, though the snatch went quite well; I actually set a record in the snatch but struggled a bit with the clean and jerk due to a knee issue."
First Medal for India at CWG 2026
Rishikanta's silver was India's first medal at the ongoing Games, while para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar had earlier won a bronze medal, making it the second overall. The Indian contingent celebrated the achievement as a positive start to the campaign. The weightlifter's performance highlighted India's strength in the sport, following a tradition of success in Commonwealth Games weightlifting.
Future Aspirations and Determination
Looking ahead, Rishikanta is determined to improve and target more medals. "I am confident I will bring home medals in future competitions. I will aim to win a medal at the Asian Games. I will give it my absolute best," he told ANI. His focus now shifts to the 2026 Asian Games, where he hopes to replicate his success. The knee issue that hindered his clean and jerk is expected to be addressed through rehabilitation and training. Rishikanta's dedication and record-breaking snatch have made him a promising prospect for Indian weightlifting.
Performance Summary
- Rishikanta Singh (India): 264kg total (121kg snatch + 143kg clean and jerk) - Silver
- Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (Malaysia): 273kg total (121kg snatch + 152kg clean and jerk) - Gold (Games record)
- Joshua Mboya (Kenya): 260kg total (115kg snatch + 145kg clean and jerk) - Bronze
This article is sourced from ANI and has been rewritten for clarity and depth.
