Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya honored para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar, who won India’s first medal at CWG 2026, with a reward of Rs 10 lakh. Zhandu of Bihar has won the bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight category.
New Delhi [भारत]July 27 (ANI): Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya honored para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar at his residence on Monday. Zhandu has won India’s first medal at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Zhandu won the bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight category with a best lift of 190 kg. According to a press release, Mandaviya gave a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh to Jhandu, who hails from an ordinary family from Nalanda district of Bihar.
Talking about his experience of meeting the Union Sports Minister, the powerlifter said, “I landed in Delhi at 1:55 pm today and as soon as I landed, I got a message that the Honorable Sports Minister wanted to meet me. It felt great to know that he was looking forward to meeting me. Mandaviya asked me about my experience in Scotland. During the meeting, he motivated me and asked me to win a gold medal in the Asian Para Games, and I am looking forward to making my country proud.” “I will try my best.”
Journey from selling vegetables to medal
Before being selected by Chief Para Coach Rajender Rahelu for training at SAI NCOE Gandhinagar in June 2023, Jhandu sold vegetables and also drove an e-rickshaw to support his family in Harnaut town of Nalanda.
PM Modi’s tweet increased the respect
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Instagram the moment Zandu won the country’s first medal at the Commonwealth Games. PM Modi wrote: “A spectacular performance by Jhandu Kumar, who opened India’s medal account at #CWG2026 by winning a bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event! Congratulations to him. His achievement is a powerful reflection of immense strength, unwavering determination and years of disciplined effort. By overcoming every challenge and excelling on the international stage, he has made the entire nation proud and has inspired countless Indians.”
Jhandu said that when the PM posted about his achievement on social media, he got goosebumps. The 29-year-old said, “When I was in Glasgow, the honorable PM sir tweeted about my achievement and other athletes competing with me said that it is not often that a head of state writes a message for a bronze medalist. It made me very proud. Since winning the medal, I have not been able to sleep much because of the excitement and adrenaline rush. My phone is ringing constantly. I feel that Indian sport has reached this level because of his constant encouragement and support for the athletes. I am very proud of him.” Looks like I was the only CWG medalist who got encouragement from the Prime Minister of my country.”
Now keep an eye on Asian Para Games
Before his success in Glasgow, the powerlifter had won consecutive silver and gold medals at the Khelo India Para Games 2024 and 2025 editions respectively. The Khelo India athlete has now set his sights on the upcoming Asian Para Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from October 18 to 24.
Zhandu concluded, “When you get such support and cooperation from the country’s leadership, you are motivated to perform even better. I will be going to my hometown for some time to meet my family members before returning to Gandhinagar to prepare for the Asian Para Games. China is a strong contender but I will try my best to get a medal for my country, I promise.” (ANI)
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