Commonwealth Games 2026: Sold vegetables, drove e-rickshaw… now India will get medal in Para Powerlifting!

Jhandu Kumar, Commonwealth Games 2026: Nearly three thousand athletes from 74 countries are trying their luck in the Commonwealth Games 2026 being held in Glasgow city of Scotland. Among the players representing India in this Maha Kumbh, there is a name whose story will make you emotional and fill you with passion from within. We are talking about 28 year old para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar from Bihar, who has overcome poverty, polio and poverty to reach the Commonwealth Games stage.

Polio at the age of 5, sold vegetables in poverty

Born in Harnaut village of Nalanda district of Bihar, Jhandu Kumar’s childhood was spent in very difficult circumstances. Due to polio at the age of just five, his legs stopped working and he had to take the help of crutches to walk. Along with physical disability, the mountain of poverty also fell upon him. To run his household and earn his living, he started selling vegetables on the streets. When he could not survive by selling vegetables, he started driving an e-rickshaw during the Corona period. However, the situation became so bad that due to financial constraints he eventually had to sell his e-rickshaw.

Started with javelin throw, then changed the track of life like this

Before joining Para powerlifting, Jhandu Kumar had tried his luck in athletics. He tried sports like shot put, javelin throw and discus throw, but he did not get success there. While practicing shot put and discus throw, he used to work out biceps and triceps. Seeing his physical strength and strong body, a sports secretary of Bihar suggested him to try powerlifting. This advice proved to be the turning point of his life. Zandu accepted this suggestion and started working hard in the gym.

Eyes set on medal in Glasgow

Jhandu Kumar, who has consistently performed brilliantly at the national level on the basis of his hard work and unwavering determination, is now representing India in Glasgow. He will enter the ring in the heavyweight event of men’s para powerlifting with the intention of winning a medal for the country. The player who once earned his living by driving an e-rickshaw, today the entire country is praying for his success. This story of Jhandu Kumar proves that if your intentions are high, no obstacle can stop you from reaching your destination.