Top News

India’s para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar has won the bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This is India’s first para powerlifting medal in this sport. 28 year old Zandu achieved this success by lifting 190 kg weight.

Jhandu Kumar’s journey has been very difficult. In his childhood, he had to face many physical challenges due to polio at the age of 5. His family used to do small vegetable farming in Nalanda district of Bihar.

When vegetable shop was closed, e-rickshaw was started.

The vegetable shop was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. To run his household, Zandu started driving an e-rickshaw. He would work hard throughout the day and go to the gym in the evening to continue his training. There was always shortage of money.

Protein supplements were expensive, but Zandu never gave up his hard work. In the year 2023, he sold his e-rickshaw and participated in the National Championship. There was failure in the beginning, but he did not give up.

Training coach changed life

National coach Rajinder Singh Rahelu saw his hard work and gave him a chance to train at the Sports Authority of India Center in Gandhinagar. After this Zandu’s career changed. She won silver in the Khelo India Para Games and won medals in many international competitions.

What did you say after winning the medal?

After getting the medal in Glasgow, Zandu said, ‘I feel as if I am flying. Years of hard work have paid off today. I had only one goal – to win a medal. He has also praised the Sports Authority of India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).