Glasgow, Scotland | India celebrated another impressive achievement at the Commonwealth Games 2026 as Rishikanta Singh Chanambam claimed the silver medal in the men’s 60kg weightlifting event, while also setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with an outstanding 121kg lift.
The remarkable performance added another medal to India’s Commonwealth Games tally and highlighted the country’s growing strength in international weightlifting.
Final Medal Standings
| Position | Athlete | Country | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Mohamad Aniq Kasdan | Malaysia | 121kg | 152kg | 273kg (Games Record) |
| Silver | Rishikanta Singh Chanambam | India | 121kg (Games Record) | 143kg | 264kg |
| Bronze | Joshua Amunga Mboya | Kenya | — | — | 260kg |
Record-Breaking Start in the Snatch
Rishikanta began the competition in spectacular fashion by successfully lifting:
- 116kg on his first attempt.
- 119kg on his second attempt.
- 121kg on his third and final attempt.
His 121kg lift established a new Commonwealth Games snatch record, placing him at the top of the leaderboard.
Shortly afterward, Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Kasdan matched the 121kg lift, leaving both athletes tied as they entered the clean and jerk competition.
Battle for Gold
Rishikanta opened the clean and jerk with a confident 143kg lift, keeping his hopes of winning gold alive.
He then attempted 148kg, but the lift was unsuccessful.
Kasdan capitalized on the opportunity by successfully lifting 149kg, moving ahead of the Indian lifter.
With the gold medal still mathematically within reach, Rishikanta made a bold final attempt at 151kg. Although he successfully completed the clean, he was unable to finish the jerk, ending his campaign with a combined total of 264kg.
Kasdan, already assured of victory, completed a successful 152kg clean and jerk, finishing with a Commonwealth Games record total of 273kg to secure the gold medal.
American Experts Praise India’s Rising Weightlifting Program
Reacting to Rishikanta’s performance, Michael Thompson, an American Olympic weightlifting coach from Colorado, praised the Indian athlete’s technical consistency.
“Setting a Commonwealth Games snatch record under championship pressure is an outstanding achievement. Rishikanta demonstrated excellent technique, composure, and competitive maturity throughout the event.”
Meanwhile, Sarah Mitchell, an American sports performance analyst based in California, highlighted India’s continued progress in strength sports.
“India has become one of the strongest nations in Commonwealth weightlifting. Performances like Rishikanta’s show the country’s growing depth of talent and its ability to consistently compete for medals on the international stage.”
A Strong Start for India on Day Four
Although Rishikanta Singh Chanambam narrowly missed the gold medal, his silver medal and record-breaking 121kg snatch provided India with a strong start to Day Four of the Commonwealth Games 2026.
The performance not only showcased his individual excellence but also reinforced India’s reputation as one of the leading weightlifting nations in the Commonwealth, with hopes of adding more medals as the Games continue.
