Chanambam Rishikanta Singh Wins Silver at Commonwealth Games 2026, Sets Historic Snatch Record for India
India’s weightlifting campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games received a major boost after Chanambam Rishikanta Singh delivered an outstanding performance to win the silver medal in the men’s 60kg weightlifting event in Glasgow, Scotland.
Although he narrowly missed out on the gold medal, the Indian lifter created history by setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch, making his achievement one of the biggest highlights of the competition.
Rishikanta’s determination, technical excellence and composure under pressure earned him a total lift of 264kg. His remarkable effort not only secured India’s first silver medal of the Games but also reinforced the country’s long-standing reputation as one of the strongest weightlifting nations in the Commonwealth.
A Historic Day for Indian Weightlifting
The men’s 60kg competition attracted several experienced lifters from across the Commonwealth, making it one of the most competitive events in the weightlifting programme.
India pinned its hopes on Chanambam Rishikanta Singh, who entered the event after a series of consistent performances in international competitions.
The competition began with the snatch discipline, where each athlete had three attempts to lift the heaviest possible weight. Rishikanta looked calm and confident from his opening attempt, displaying excellent balance, speed and lifting technique.
His successful lift of 121kg in the snatch became the highest ever recorded in Commonwealth Games history for the men’s 60kg category, setting a brand-new Games record. The crowd inside the arena applauded the Indian athlete as his name entered the record books.
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Outstanding Snatch Performance Creates New Games Record
The snatch is regarded as one of the most technically demanding lifts in weightlifting because the athlete must raise the barbell from the floor to overhead in one continuous movement. It demands explosive strength, perfect timing and exceptional flexibility.
Rishikanta executed his lifts with remarkable precision throughout the competition. His record-breaking 121kg lift demonstrated not only physical strength but also years of dedicated training and discipline.
By setting the new Commonwealth Games record, he achieved something that will remain part of the tournament’s history, regardless of the final medal standings.
Battle for Gold in the Clean and Jerk
After dominating the snatch, attention shifted to the clean and jerk section, where athletes must first lift the barbell to their shoulders before driving it overhead. This discipline often decides the medal positions because competitors attempt much heavier weights.
Rishikanta successfully lifted 143kg in the clean and jerk, giving him a combined total of 264kg. It was an excellent performance and kept India firmly in contention for the gold medal until the closing stages of the event.
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Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Bin Kasdan eventually secured the gold medal after producing a stronger clean and jerk performance to finish with a total of 273kg. Kenya’s Joshua Amunga Mboya claimed the bronze medal.
Although Rishikanta finished second overall, his record-breaking snatch ensured that his performance stood out as one of the defining moments of the competition.
India’s Medal Campaign Gets a Major Boost
Rishikanta’s silver medal was particularly important because it provided India with its first silver medal of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The achievement boosted the morale of the entire Indian contingent and added valuable momentum to India’s medal campaign.
Weightlifting has consistently been one of India’s strongest sports at the Commonwealth Games. Over the years, Indian lifters have produced numerous medal-winning performances, and Rishikanta continued that proud tradition with another memorable display.
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The Journey of Chanambam Rishikanta Singh
Hailing from Manipur, Chanambam Rishikanta Singh has steadily built his reputation as one of India’s finest weightlifters in the lightweight division. His success is the result of years of disciplined training, determination and perseverance.
Before arriving in Glasgow, he had already established himself through impressive performances at national championships and international competitions. Winning gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships strengthened his confidence and proved that he was capable of challenging the world’s best athletes.
The silver medal in Glasgow marks another important milestone in his sporting career and is expected to inspire countless young athletes from Manipur and across India.
Importance of the Commonwealth Games Record
Setting a Commonwealth Games record is a significant achievement because it represents the best performance ever recorded in the history of the competition for that event. Many outstanding weightlifters have competed in previous editions of the Games, making such records extremely difficult to break.
Rishikanta’s 121kg snatch will now be remembered as a historic lift and serves as proof of his exceptional talent and world-class ability.
Even though he narrowly missed the gold medal, the new Games record ensures that his name will remain an important part of Commonwealth Games history.
What This Means for Indian Weightlifting
India has invested significantly in strengthening its weightlifting programme over the past few years. Better coaching, improved sports science support and international exposure have helped Indian athletes compete more confidently on the global stage.
Rishikanta’s success highlights the progress Indian weightlifting continues to make. His performance also raises expectations for future international events, including the Asian Games, World Championships and Olympic qualification competitions.
Young athletes watching the Games can look at Rishikanta’s journey as an example of how hard work, consistency and determination can transform dreams into reality.
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Reaction Across India
Sports fans, former athletes and officials praised Rishikanta’s performance soon after the competition concluded. Social media platforms were filled with congratulatory messages celebrating both his silver medal and his Commonwealth Games record.
Many observers noted that while the silver medal was a proud achievement, the record-breaking snatch demonstrated that Indian weightlifters are capable of competing with the very best athletes in the Commonwealth.
Looking Ahead
At just 28 years of age, Rishikanta still has several important international competitions ahead of him. His Glasgow performance provides valuable confidence and experience that can help him compete for even bigger honours in the coming years.
With continued dedication and support, he has the potential to achieve even greater success for India on the world stage.
Conclusion
Chanambam Rishikanta Singh’s silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games is much more than a place on the podium. His record-breaking 121kg snatch showcased exceptional skill, courage and determination while bringing pride to millions of Indians.
Although the gold medal went to Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Bin Kasdan, Rishikanta’s overall performance proved that he belongs among the elite weightlifters in the Commonwealth.
His achievement adds another memorable chapter to India’s rich weightlifting history and serves as an inspiration for the next generation of athletes. As India continues its campaign in Glasgow, Rishikanta’s remarkable effort will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the Games and a symbol of the country’s growing strength in international weightlifting.
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