‘Aap ka beta sab jhandu kar diya’: India’s CWG 2026 medalist reveals the painful story behind his name ‘Jhandu’ Kumar | Commonwealth Games News
NEW DELHI: When “Jhandu Kumar” rang out in the Commonwealth Games arena in Glasgow, it was no longer a name that invited ridicule. It was a name that had just given India its first medal in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.For years, the para powerlifter in Bihar has endured taunts because of a name born out of tragedy. On Friday, he turned a painful birth into a symbol of strength, winning bronze in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event and scripting one of India’s most inspiring stories in the Games. The 28-year-old earned bronze with 130.9 points after successfully lifting 181kg and 190kg. A daring final attempt at 196kg, which would have pushed him into gold-medal contention, fizzled out.
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However, standing on the podium, Jhandu thinks less about the missed opportunity and more about the incredible journey that brought him there.“The happiness is overwhelming. I haven’t slept since last night… Even when I lie down, sleep never comes,” he said during an Interaction with the Sports Authority of India.
The sick story behind the name ‘Jhandu’
Before he became a medalist for India, Jhandu was a five-year-old battling polio in a small village in Bihar.“My family says I got polio when I was 5 years old. I had to sit and walk… People used to make fun of me. They used to say, ‘Now that he’s disabled, what will he do?’,” he said.His unique name comes from another painful chapter. His parents used up their savings to treat his illness. Family friends make fun of the situation, saying, “Aap ka beta sab jhandu kar diya, sab paisa khatam kar diya” (Your son has wasted all your money).The nickname stuck. For a while, he tried to escape it by changing his name to Avinash Kumar. But during a visit to a government office, officials repeatedly called “Jhandu Kumar.”Recalling the incident, he said the officials called him inside after repeatedly calling him “Jhandu Kumar” and laughed when he confirmed his name. Instead of hiding it, he chose to own it.“I feel like if everyone laughs at my name … then this name is fine,” he said. “Now in all our documents, this is Jhandu Kumar. So, Avinash Kumar is gone.”
Jhandu Kumar in India (PTI Photo)
From e-rickshaw driver to CWG medalist
To afford the supplements and continue his training, Jhandu spent eight to nine months driving an e-rickshaw.“I drive the e-rickshaw for my food. I thought I would earn Rs 200-400 and have supplements on that and continue my gym,” he said.“I used to go to the gym at night but the problem was that I would be tired after driving all day, so I had less time at the gym,” he explained because it was difficult to drive due to the effects of polio.His sporting career itself began almost by chance. Initially a shot putter, he was persuaded to switch to para powerlifting by Bihar coach Kundan Pandey, who recognized his natural strength.In 2022, the sight of Sudhir winning gold at the Commonwealth Games ignited a dream.“When our gym owner told me that Sudhir bhai had lifted 212kg and won the Commonwealth Games, I said I will do it too. I thought I should do it for my country,” he said.
Bronze today, bigger dreams tomorrow
Jhandu approached the competition with a clear strategy: “My goal is to pass the first lift. After that, the second lift is to enter the medal tally. The third lift is for the gold medal.”The last attempt failed due to a technical error.“I can’t get the gold medal. It’s a technical fault. I made a mistake when I breathed in a hurry. When I went up, I was lifted correctly. But when I came out, I got stuck in the rack,” he added.Now training at the Sports Authority of India’s National Center of Excellence in Gandhinagar, he says life remains modest at home, where his parents continue to sell vegetables.But the bronze medal was just the beginning. His ultimate ambition was set.“My journey has begun. Next I have the Para Asian Games and Paralympics that I need to prepare for,” he said. “There is a record of 232 kg. I want to break that record.”
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