Glasgow 2026: Muthupandi Raja Wins Commonwealth Games Silver as India Complete Weightlifting Hat-Trick on Day 2

Glasgow, July 27: India enjoyed another memorable day on the weightlifting platform at the Commonwealth Games 2026, as R. Muthupandi Raja clinched the silver medal in the men’s 65kg event, taking the country’s tally to three medals on the day-all coming from weightlifting.

Earlier on Sunday (July 26), Rishikanta Singh had opened India’s account with silver in the men’s 60kg category before Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu produced another masterclass to win her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in the women’s 48kg division. Muthupandi’s podium finish completed a remarkable day for the Indian weightlifting contingent.

Making his Commonwealth Games debut, the 26-year-old lifter from Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu, produced a total lift of 286kg (126kg Snatch + 160kg Clean & Jerk) to finish second behind Malaysia’s Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamad, who claimed gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg (133kg Snatch + 166kg Clean & Jerk). Papua New Guinea’s Morea Baru secured bronze with 282kg.

Strong Recovery After Early Miss

Muthupandi endured a nervy start after failing his opening 126kg snatch attempt. However, the Indian kept his composure to successfully clear the weight in his second lift before unsuccessfully attempting 129kg in his final effort, ending the snatch phase with 126kg.

The Indian Railways lifter again missed his opening attempt in the clean and jerk at 158kg, but bounced back impressively to register 160kg on his second attempt. Chasing a higher total, he attempted 170kg in his final lift but could not complete it, finishing with a total of 286kg, comfortably enough for the silver medal.

Reward for Years of Perseverance

The medal marks another significant milestone in Muthupandi’s inspiring journey, which has been defined by resilience.

After winning medals at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth and Junior Championships, he suffered a major setback in 2019 when he sustained a ligament tear in his right elbow during the Commonwealth Championships, an injury that required surgery and kept him away from competition for an extended period.

He returned in 2021 before reclaiming his place among India’s elite lifters. His breakthrough came at the 2024 National Championships, where he won gold while setting new national records in the 61kg category with a 289kg total (124kg snatch + 165kg clean and jerk).

The following year proved even more successful. Muthupandi claimed silver at the 2025 Commonwealth Championships with a personal-best 296kg total, before improving further to 299kg (130kg snatch + 169kg clean and jerk) at the IWF World Championships in Førde, Norway, where he finished ninth in the men’s 65kg division.

Government Support Ahead of Glasgow

Ahead of the Glasgow Games, Muthupandi benefited from financial assistance under the government’s Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC) programme.

The support covered his participation in the national coaching camp at Modinagar, the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar, and a pre-Games acclimatisation camp at the Warley Weightlifting Club in Birmingham.