‘Silver Worth More Than Gold’: Rishikanta Singh Creates History for Manipur

More Than Silver: How Rishikanta Singh Created History for Manipur Despite Injury

The gold medal seemed within Rishikanta Singh’s grasp. After smashing the Commonwealth Games record in the men’s 60kg snatch with a lift of 121kg, the Indian weightlifter led the competition and looked set for the biggest triumph of his career.

But sport can change in an instant.

A knee injury, sustained just days before the event, resurfaced during the clean and jerk. Instead of celebrating a gold medal, Rishikanta had to fight through intense pain just to stay on the podium. He eventually finished with a total lift of 264kg to claim silver.

While the medal was silver, its significance was far greater. Rishikanta became the first male weightlifter from Manipur to win a Commonwealth Games medal, achieving a historic milestone for a state that has long been regarded as India’s weightlifting powerhouse.

Gold Lost, History Made

Rishikanta entered the clean and jerk as the overall leader after his record-breaking snatch. Gold appeared well within reach until his injured knee limited his performance.

He successfully lifted 143kg but failed in his attempts at 148kg and 151kg as the injury prevented him from generating enough power to complete the jerk. The missed lifts cost him the gold medal, but not a place in history.

“I came here for gold. After the snatch, I was leading, but my knee created a problem. I was able to clean the weight but could not push because one thigh was not working properly. I tried my best,” Rishikanta told PTI.

As the pain worsened, his strategy changed from chasing gold to securing a medal.

“I told my coach that we should first make one successful lift to ensure a medal and then go for more. I didn’t want to leave without a medal,” he said.

A Landmark Moment for Manipur

Manipur has produced some of India’s greatest weightlifters, especially among women, but no male athlete from the state had previously won a Commonwealth Games medal in the sport.

Rishikanta changed that with his silver-medal finish, adding another proud chapter to Manipur’s rich sporting legacy and inspiring a new generation of lifters.

A Story of Grit

Rishikanta’s journey has been built on determination and resilience.

Raised in a financially struggling family in Manipur, he watched his father work as a daily-wage labourer while pursuing his own dream in weightlifting. He began training at the National Sports Academy in Imphal before rising through India’s elite weightlifting programme and later representing the Indian Army.

His breakthrough performances at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships established him as one of India’s brightest medal prospects heading into the Games.

Although an injury denied him the gold medal, Rishikanta returned with something equally valuable—a place in history. His silver was more than a podium finish; it was a landmark achievement that ensured Manipur’s men finally had their own Commonwealth Games weightlifting medallist.