India continued its impressive run at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as weightlifter Raja Muthupandi secured the silver medal in the men's 65kg weightlifting event. The 26-year-old lifter produced an outstanding performance to finish second on the podium, adding another medal to India's growing tally and reinforcing the country's dominance in weightlifting at the Games.
Raja Muthupandi lifted a combined total of 286kg, successfully clearing 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk. His consistent performance earned India its third weightlifting medal of the day and took the country's overall medal count at the Games to four medals.
Strong Performance Under Pressure
Competing against some of the Commonwealth's strongest weightlifters, Raja delivered a composed and technically sound performance throughout the competition. He opened confidently in the snatch, successfully completing his lifts to remain among the medal contenders before entering the clean and jerk segment.
In the clean and jerk, Raja maintained his momentum with a successful 160kg lift, taking his overall total to 286kg. Although he narrowly missed the gold medal, his effort ensured India secured another podium finish in Glasgow.
Malaysia Claims Gold
Malaysia's Aznil Bidin won the gold medal after producing a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg. Raja Muthupandi finished second to claim silver, while the remaining competitors were unable to match the performances of the top two lifters.
The competition was regarded as one of the most competitive events in the weightlifting schedule, with several athletes producing impressive lifts throughout the final.
India's Weightlifting Campaign Continues to Shine
Raja's silver medal capped another memorable day for the Indian weightlifting contingent. Earlier in the competition, Mirabai Chanu won a historic third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal, while Rishikanta Singh secured silver in the men's 60kg category.
With Raja's podium finish, India collected three medals in weightlifting on the same day, highlighting the country's strength in the sport and providing an important boost to its overall campaign in Glasgow.
India's Medal Tally Reaches Four
Following Raja Muthupandi's silver-medal finish, India's medal tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games increased to four. The haul includes one gold, two silver medals in weightlifting and one bronze won earlier in the Games.
The strong performances have helped India climb the medal standings while building momentum for the remaining events across boxing, wrestling, athletics, badminton and other disciplines scheduled during the Games.
Remarkable Comeback Story
Raja Muthupandi's silver medal also marked a significant personal achievement. The Indian weightlifter returned to international competition after recovering from an elbow injury that had interrupted his progress in recent months. His comeback culminated in a Commonwealth Games silver medal, reflecting months of rehabilitation, training and determination.
After the event, Raja expressed happiness over winning a medal for India while admitting that he had hoped to win gold. He dedicated the silver medal to his parents and coach, thanking them for their continuous support throughout his recovery and preparation for the Games. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Momentum Builds for India
India's impressive start in weightlifting has generated optimism for the remainder of the Commonwealth Games. Several Indian athletes remain in medal contention across multiple disciplines, and sports officials expect the country's tally to rise further as more finals take place in Glasgow.
With Raja Muthupandi's silver adding to India's successful campaign, the nation's athletes have once again demonstrated their ability to compete with the best on the Commonwealth stage. As the Games continue, Indian fans will be hoping for many more podium finishes in the days ahead.