Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar, who won bronze in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, told the story of overcoming financial crisis. In childhood, he changed his name to ‘Jhandu’ after being taunted for losing everything due to polio treatment. He also ran his family by selling vegetables.
New Delhi [भारत]July 27 (ANI): Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar, who won a bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight event at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, spoke about his extraordinary journey of overcoming financial difficulties to reach the podium. He also revealed how a childhood taunt inspired him to adopt the name ‘Jhandu Kumar’ and the name became a symbol of his resilience.
After winning the bronze in Glasgow, Jhandu Kumar revealed that he had been afflicted with polio at the age of five, and his parents had spent all their savings on his treatment. Originally named Abhinav Kumar, he adopted this name after people made fun of his family for being financially ruined.
When the name had to be changed due to taunts
Speaking to ANI, he said, “When I was about five years old, a small child, I contracted polio. My parents took me for treatment; my real name is Abhinav Kumar. The treatment drained all our financial resources; we exhausted all our capital. Neighbors and other people commented, ‘You wasted all the money, you ruined mommy and daddy’. So, I decided to keep the name ‘Zhandu Kumar’.” Decided.”
Journey from selling vegetables to gym
Zandu said he worked several jobs, including selling vegetables and driving an electric-rickshaw, to support his family through financial difficulties. Inspired by Salman Khan’s body in a film, he said he started going to the gym despite having no initial interest in bodybuilding. Over time, strength training helped him discover para powerlifting and eventually pursue a sports career. He said, “I did a lot to reach this point. I sold vegetables, drove electric-rickshaws (totos) and carried passengers. This was also due to the poor financial condition at home… I started going to the gym after watching Salman Khan. I was initially not fond of bodybuilding; I just saw his body in one of his films and I thought it looked impressive. There was no gym in my village before… I started one day, and gradually, I Started building biceps and triceps, and that’s how I discovered this sport.”
Won bronze by lifting 190 kg weight
Jhandu Kumar won a bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow. The 28-year-old, competing in Group B, recorded his best lift of 190 kg in his second attempt, earning him 130.9 points. Zandu started with a successful lift of 181 kg and then increased it to 190 kg in his second attempt. The 28-year-old then attempted 196 kilograms in his final lift, a weight that would have broken the Commonwealth Games record set at Birmingham 2022. However, he was unable to complete the lift and ultimately finished third, winning the bronze medal. The medal also marks India’s first podium finish in Para powerlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The coach gave him credit for success
Indian Para powerlifting team head coach, Jai Prakash Singh attributed Jhandu Kumar’s CWG bronze medal success to the collective support of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA). He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting Indian Para sports.
“The result achieved by Jhandu Kumar today is the result of the collective support and cooperation of the Sports Authority of India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Indian Paralympic Committee led by Devendra Jhajharia, under whose guidance the entire Para Committee works, and the Indian Olympic Association. I especially thank the Sports Authority of India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he told ANI. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)