Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar at his residence on Monday, honouring the athlete who brought India its first medal of glory in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Jhandu claimed his bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight category with a best lift of 190kg.
As part of the felicitation, Dr Mandaviya presented Jhandu Kumar with a cash award of ₹10 lakh. Jhandu, who hails from a very modest background in Bihar’s Nalanda district, described what the meeting meant to him: “I felt privileged to meet the Union Sports Minister today. How many people get to meet a central minister in their lifetime. I never wondered that I will be felicitated for my achievement in sports. Dr Mandaviya asked me about my experience in Scotland. It was a great feeling to interact with him.”
From Selling Vegetables to Standing on the Podium
Jhandu’s journey to that podium wasn’t an easy one. Before his sporting career took off, he sold vegetables and rode an e-rickshaw in Harnaut town, Nalanda, for a living to help support his family. That changed in June 2023, when chief para coach Rajender Rahelu spotted him and brought him in to train at SAI NCOE Gandhinagar.
He recalled the moment Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted about his win on social media, saying it gave him goosebumps. “I have not had much sleep since the time I have won a medal, due to the excitement and adrenaline rush. My phone has been buzzing throughout. I was overwhelmed when our Hon’ble PM wrote about me on social media. I think Indian sports has reached this level all thanks to his continuous encouragement and support for athletes. I think I was the only CWG medallist who received encouragement from his country’s Prime Minister,” said the 29-year-old.
Eyes Already on the Next Big Stage
Glasgow wasn’t Jhandu’s first taste of podium success though. He’d already won a silver medal at the Khelo India Para Games 2024 and followed it up with gold in the 2025 edition. Now, his focus has shifted to the Asian Para Games, set to run from October 18 to 24, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Reflecting on the support he’s received, Jhandu said, “When you receive such support and backing from the country’s leadership, you get motivated to perform even better. I will go to my hometown for a brief period to meet my family members before returning to Gandhinagar in order to prepare for Asian Para Games. China are a strong contender but I will do my best to secure a medal for my country, I promise.”
Key Takeaway: Jhandu Kumar’s bronze medal in para powerlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games marks a significant achievement for India’s para sports movement and reflects the growing emphasis on identifying, nurturing, and supporting athletes through initiatives such as the Sports Authority of India’s training ecosystem and Khelo India.
His journey from humble beginnings in Bihar to the international podium highlights the role of sustained institutional support and athlete development, while his recognition by the Union Government underscores India’s commitment to promoting excellence in para sports as the country now looks ahead to the 2026 Asian Para Games and future international competitions.
M.C.Q.
Question 1: The 2026 Commonwealth Games are being hosted by:
- A. Birmingham, England
- B. Glasgow, Scotland
- C. Gold Coast, Australia
- D. Victoria, Canada
Question 2: The 2026 Asian Para Games are scheduled to be held in:
- A. Hangzhou, China
- B. Seoul, South Korea
- C. Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
- D. Bangkok, Thailand
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