CWG 2026 Day 2: Jhandu Kumar wins historic bronze as India shows promise across disciplines
India experienced a mixed yet encouraging second day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar scripting history by winning the country’s first medal of the Games. While the bronze remained the biggest highlight, Indian athletes also impressed in boxing, lawn bowls and gymnastics, setting up strong medal hopes for the coming days.
Jhandu Kumar scripts history
Jhandu Kumar delivered India’s standout performance by clinching bronze in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event. The 29-year-old from Bihar completed an inspiring journey from driving an e-rickshaw to standing on the Commonwealth Games podium, giving India its opening medal in Glasgow.
Jadumani Singh begins with dominant win
India’s boxing campaign got off to a winning start as Jadumani Singh outclassed Scotland’s Aaron Cullen by unanimous decision in the men’s 55kg category.
Despite Cullen’s height advantage and home support, Jadumani controlled the bout with aggressive combinations and sharp movement throughout all three rounds. The reigning national champion will next take on Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman in the pre-quarterfinals.
Lawn bowls contingent remains unbeaten
India continued its excellent run in lawn bowls with victories in both the women’s pairs and men’s singles.
Commonwealth Games gold medallists Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh registered their second consecutive win by defeating South Africa’s Thabelo Muvhango and Jacqui Janse van Rensburg 6-4, 7-5 to stay on top of Section B.
In the men’s singles, Putul Sonowal followed up his stunning opening-day victory over world champion Ryan Bester with another gritty win, defeating Falkland Islands’ Cecil Alexander in a tie-break to remain unbeaten in Section D.
Budigina narrowly misses medal
Para swimmer R.V.V.B.K. Budigina came agonisingly close to adding another medal for India in the men’s 100m freestyle S13 final. He finished fourth with a timing of 57.57 seconds, narrowly missing the podium.
Ali Imam placed seventh in the same event, while Olympian Srihari Nataraj failed to qualify for the men’s 50m backstroke final after finishing seventh in his semifinal. Aryan Nehra and Dhakshan Shashikumar also exited in the heats of the men’s 400m freestyle.
Women para powerlifters miss out
India’s women para powerlifters were unable to add to the medal tally.
Jaspreet Kaur finished sixth overall in the women’s lightweight category after lifting 100kg, while Suman Devi ended seventh. In the women’s heavyweight event, Kasthuri Rajamani failed to record a successful lift.
Gymnasts book apparatus finals
India’s artistic gymnastics team produced encouraging performances despite missing out on team medals.
The women’s team finished sixth, with Pranati Nayak qualifying for the vault final and Ruthuja Nataraj securing a place in the floor exercise final.
The men’s team ended seventh, finishing ahead of Bangladesh, Singapore and New Zealand in the overall standings.
Positive signs for India
Although Jhandu Kumar’s bronze was India’s only medal on Day 2, several performances offered reasons for optimism. Jadumani Singh advanced confidently in boxing, the lawn bowls teams maintained their unbeaten run, Budigina narrowly missed a podium finish, and the gymnasts booked places in multiple finals.
With several medal events scheduled over the weekend, India will look to build on these performances and add to its medal tally in Glasgow.
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