New Delhi | July 27, 2026
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar at his residence in New Delhi following his bronze medal victory at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Jhandu earned India’s first medal at the Glasgow Games in the men’s heavyweight category with a maximum lift of 190 kg. In recognition of his achievement, Dr. Mandaviya presented the athlete with a cash award of ₹10 lakh.
Key Highlights & Profile
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Athlete: Jhandu Kumar (29)
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Hometown: Harnaut, Nalanda district, Bihar
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Event & Achievement: Bronze Medal, Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (190 kg lift) at CWG 2026 (Glasgow, Scotland)
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Cash Prize Awarded: ₹10 Lakh by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
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Next Target: Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games (Japan, October 18–24, 2026)
Journey & Path to International Success
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Grassroots Resilience: Prior to joining professional training, Jhandu sold vegetables and operated an e-rickshaw in Nalanda to support his family.
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SAI Induction: Identified by chief para-coach Rajender Rahelu, he was inducted into the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Gandhinagar in June 2023.
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Domestic Track Record: Khelo India scheme athlete who previously secured silver and gold medals at the Khelo India Para Games in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
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National Encouragement: Expressed gratitude for public recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that top-level policy support and sports infrastructure initiatives continue to boost national athletic morale.
