Three medals in one day! Raja Muthupandi’s silver joins Commonwealth Games in weightlifting medal spree | Commonwealth Games News
Raja Muthupandi won the silver medal in the men’s 65kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, adding another podium finish to India’s strong start to the sport.The 26-year-old lifted 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk for a combined total of 286kg to finish second. Malaysia’s Muhamad Aznil Bin Bidin claimed gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg, while Papua New Guinea’s Morea Baru took bronze with 282kg.
Glasgow: Malaysia’s gold medalist Muhamad Aznil Bidin, center, India’s silver medalist Raja Muthupandi, left, and Papua New Guinea’s bronze medalist Morea Baru during the men’s 65kg weightlifting final of the 23rd Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, Scotland. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)(PTI07_27_2026_000023A)
The silver was Muthupandi’s first Commonwealth Games medal after finishing sixth in the men’s 62kg event in his Gold Coast debut in 2018.
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Long road back to the podium
Muthupandi’s progress was halted by a serious elbow ligament injury in 2019, with the COVID-19 pandemic further hampering his rehabilitation. After advancing to the 67kg category, he also found opportunities limited as Jeremy Lalrinnunga established himself as India’s top lifter in the division, eventually winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.Jeremy’s injury struggles and dip in form later opened the door for Muthupandi, who moved up to the 65kg category and re-established his place in the national setup.
Glasgow: India’s Raja Muthupandi competes during the men’s 65kg weightlifting final at the 23rd Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, Scotland. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)(PTI07_27_2026_000022A)
He announced his comeback by finishing ninth at the 2025 World Championships, setting a personal best total of 299kg by lifting 130kg in the snatch and 169kg in the clean and jerk.
India’s medal tally is increasing
Muthupandi arrives in Glasgow after winning silver at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and now adds a Commonwealth Games silver to his resume.Her medal was India’s third in weightlifting on the day, after podium finishes by Rishikanta Singh and Mirabai Chanu, and increased the country’s total tally to four medals at the Games, comprising one gold, two silvers and one bronze.
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