Who Is Raja Muthupandi? India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 Silver Medallist, Tamil Nadu Weightlifting Star And Indian Railways Athlete

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Raja Muthupandi secured India’s fourth medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after winning silver in the men’s 65kg weightlifting event on the fourth day of competition in Glasgow. The Indian lifter produced a combined total of 286kg, with a best effort of 126kg in snatch and 160kg in clean and jerk. Malaysia’s Aznil Bidin claimed gold with a Games record total of 299kg, while Papua New Guinea’s Morea Baru took bronze with 282kg.

The medal was India’s third in weightlifting at Glasgow 2026 and marked a significant comeback for Muthupandi after years of injuries and health challenges. He earned his place in the squad by winning the national title and setting a new national record. His silver also added to India’s strong weightlifting campaign, following Rishikanta Singh’s silver in the men’s 60kg category and Mirabai Chanu’s historic third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in the women’s 48kg event.

Who Is Raja Muthupandi? Inside The Childhood And Early Journey Of India’s Weightlifting Star

Raja Muthupandi is a 27-year-old Indian weightlifter from Kovilpatti in Tamil Nadu who has emerged as one of the country’s rising stars in the sport. He recently grabbed attention after winning a silver medal in the men’s 65kg category at his debut Commonwealth Games appearance in Glasgow 2026. His journey has been built on determination, with the lifter overcoming major health setbacks to become a multiple-time national record holder.

Muthupandi developed a passion for weightlifting during his early years and dedicated himself to improving his skills through rigorous local training. His performances at the domestic level helped him earn recognition, eventually leading him to represent Indian Railways in national competitions. In 2024, he made a major breakthrough by winning gold in the 61kg category at the National Weightlifting Championships in Himachal Pradesh with a record-breaking 289kg total. Later, after moving up to the 65kg category, he continued his impressive run by setting another national record with a 302kg lift.

His path to success was far from easy, as Muthupandi battled several career-threatening challenges, including multiple surgeries, serious health issues and a difficult fight with jaundice. At one point, he even considered walking away from weightlifting, but he used his knowledge of sports science to rebuild his training and make a strong comeback. His resilience has become one of the defining stories behind his rise in Indian weightlifting.

Raja Muthupandi’s Major Achievements And Records In Weightlifting Career

Raja Muthupandi has built an impressive reputation in Indian weightlifting through consistent performances at the domestic level and record-breaking displays across multiple weight categories. Representing Indian Railways, he has established himself as one of the country’s strongest lifters by setting new benchmarks in both the 61kg and 65kg divisions. His career has been defined by powerful lifts, national records and steady progress on the international stage.

Muthupandi’s domestic breakthrough came at the 2024 National Weightlifting Championships in Himachal Pradesh, where he won gold in the 61kg category with a total lift of 289kg, surpassing the previous national record by 10kg. After moving up to the 65kg category, he continued his record-breaking form by registering a 302kg total, including a 130kg snatch and 172kg clean and jerk, making him the national record holder in all three categories.

His recent performances have taken him onto the global stage, with Muthupandi securing major international honours. He won the silver medal in the men’s 65kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a combined lift of 286kg (126kg snatch and 160kg clean and jerk). Before that, he claimed silver at the 2025 Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad with a 296kg total and finished ninth at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships in Førde, Norway, recording a 299kg lift. These achievements highlight his rise as one of India’s leading weightlifting talents.