CWG 2026: Andhra Pradesh’s Ajaya Babu Clinches Silver as India Add Sixth Weightlifting Medal

Glasgow, July 27: India’s impressive run on the weightlifting platform continued at the Commonwealth Games 2026 as Valluri Ajaya Babu produced a spirited performance to claim silver in the men’s 79kg category, adding the country’s sixth weightlifting medal and tenth podium finish overall in Glasgow here on Monday (July 27).

The 21-year-old from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, finished with a total lift of 330kg (149kg snatch + 181kg clean & jerk), narrowly missing out on gold by just one kilogram. It was the fifth silver medal for India in the ongoing quadrennial competition.

Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad took the gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 331kg (147kg + 184kg), while England’s Chris Murray settled for bronze with 325kg.

Games Record in Snatch Gives India Hope

Ajaya announced himself as the man to beat in the opening discipline. The Indian lifter successfully cleared 145kg on his first attempt before lifting 149kg on his third effort to set a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch.

His record-breaking lift gave him a slender advantage heading into the clean and jerk and placed him firmly in contention for gold.

However, Malaysia’s Muhammad responded brilliantly in the second discipline, lifting 184kg to overturn the deficit and edge Ajaya by a solitary kilogram in the overall standings.

Ajaya managed a best lift of 181kg in the clean and jerk to finish with 330kg, capping another memorable day for Indian weightlifting.

Another Medal for India’s Weightlifting Team

The silver continued India’s remarkable dominance in weightlifting at the Glasgow Games.

It became India’s sixth medal in weightlifting and the country’s fifth silver medal overall, underlining the depth of the contingent across different weight categories.

India’s weightlifters have been among the standout performers at the Games, consistently delivering podium finishes and keeping the country firmly among the leading nations in the medal standings.

A Champion Raised by a Champion

Ajaya’s rise has been built on years of discipline and family support. Hailing from Kondavelagada village of Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, he was introduced to weightlifting by his father Valluri Srinivasa Rao, a former international weightlifter and coach.

Training under his father’s watchful eye from a young age, Ajaya quickly established himself as one of India’s brightest weightlifting prospects before joining the Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) at NSNIS Patiala, where he currently trains.

A Rising Force on the International Stage

Ajaya has enjoyed a rapid rise through the international ranks over the past three years. Among his notable achievements are:

1. Gold – Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 (Ahmedabad)
2. Gold – Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2024 (Senior)
3. Gold – Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2024 (Junior)
4. Silver – Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championships 2024

He has also set a Commonwealth Junior Clean & Jerk record and broken several Indian junior national records, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young lifters.

Government Support Ahead of Glasgow

Ajaya’s preparation for the Commonwealth Games was backed by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC).

He received support for: National coaching camps at NSNIS Patiala, Participation in the 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships, and an acclimatisation camp at Warley Weightlifting Club, Birmingham, ahead of the Commonwealth Games.