CWG bronze medalist Jhandu Kumar eyes Asian Para Games gold

New Delhi [India], September 8 (ANI): Commonwealth Games 2026 bronze medal-winning powerlifter Jhandu Kumar is eyeing a gold medal on the upcoming Asian Para Games and desires to do his bit in serving to India cross its earlier finest tally of medals from the 2023 version at Hangzhou. 

Jhandu spoke to ANI on the sidelines of an occasion organised by State Bank of India (SBI) Life Insurance, the place India’s para-athlete heroes from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have been honoured. 

Speaking to ANI, Jhandu mentioned, ‘It is an excellent that we’ve got received a medal for our nation, and we’re getting a lot respect. I’m very proud, sir.’

On his preparation and goal for the upcoming Asian Para Games beginning in Japan from October 18, he mentioned, ‘The preparation is occurring effectively. This time, the objective is to win the gold medal. We will do one thing good. I’ve full hope. There isn’t any strain. We will do what we used to do earlier than.’

In the earlier version of the Asian Para Games, India registered their best-ever medal tally of 108 medals, together with 27 gold medals. Jhandu needs to do his bit in ensuring that this depend goes increased. 

‘We need to take it additional (the Para Games 2023 medal tally),’ he signed off. 

Jhandu secured bronze within the males’s heavyweight para powerlifting occasion on the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow. The 28-year-old, competing in Group B, recorded his finest carry of 190 kg on his second try, incomes 130.9 factors.

Para powerlifting medals on the Commonwealth Games are decided by way of a body weight coefficient system, relatively than solely on the load lifted. Competitors from varied body weight classes take part collectively within the light-weight and heavyweight divisions, with the ultimate rankings calculated primarily based on an athlete’s body weight and highest profitable carry.

Jhandu started with a profitable 181 kg carry earlier than elevating his mark to 190 kg on his second try. The 28-year-old then tried 196kg in his remaining carry, a weight that may have eclipsed the Commonwealth Games document set at Birmingham 2022.

However, he was unable to finish the carry and finally completed third to say the bronze. The medal additionally marked India’s first podium end in para powerlifting on the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

India ended its Commonwealth Games marketing campaign in Glasgow with 39 medals, together with 13 gold, 17 silver and 9 bronze, to complete fourth within the total medal standings.

The Glasgow Games concluded after 11 days of competitors, with Scotland formally handing over the Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial baton to India, which is able to host the landmark centenary version of the multi-sport occasion in Ahmedabad in 2030.

The flag and baton have been handed over to India’s representatives, Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi in the course of the closing ceremony.

Ahmedabad will develop into the second Indian metropolis to host the Commonwealth Games after New Delhi staged the occasion in 2010.

India’s fourth-place end in Glasgow got here regardless of a considerably smaller contingent and a decreased sporting programme in comparison with Birmingham 2022. India had 122 athletes in Glasgow, in comparison with 210 in Birmingham, whereas 30 of the 61 medals received in 2022 had are available sports activities that weren’t a part of the Glasgow programme.

Despite the decreased alternatives, India maintained its fourth-place place and produced a stronger medal conversion fee, with 38 athletes returning house with medals.

Long-distance runner Gulveer Singh was the one Indian athlete to win two medals on the Games. (ANI)