A Silver Start for India at Glasgow

Rishikanta Singh Chanambam, a 27-year-old weightlifter from Imphal West, Manipur, delivered India’s first silver medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in the men’s 60kg category. His total lift of 264kg — 121kg in the snatch and 143kg in the clean and jerk — secured second place behind Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (273kg) and ahead of Kenya’s Joshua Amunga Mboya (260kg).

Beyond the medal, Singh’s performance etched a new Commonwealth Games record: his opening snatch of 121kg on his third attempt broke the previous mark of 120kg and made him the first athlete to successfully lift that weight at the Games. Although Kasdan later matched the 121kg, International Weightlifting Federation rules award the record to the first lifter to achieve it, so Singh remains the official record holder.

The podium finish adds to India’s medal tally, which opened with a bronze from para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar on day one. For Singh, the journey began in Manipur’s National Sports Academy and was shaped by a disciplined stint with the Services Sports Control Board, which he joined after graduating in 2018. A strong domestic showing, including a national record 271kg total at the 2025 Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad, booked his Glasgow spot.

Manipur’s Weightlifting Pipeline and the Record Rule

Manipur’s Weightlifting Factory

Rishikanta’s rise highlights the enduring strength of Manipur’s weightlifting ecosystem. The state has long produced India’s top lifters, thanks to a network of state-run academies and early talent identification. Singh’s own path — from the National Sports Academy in Khuman Lampak to the Services Sports Control Board — reflects a well-worn route that combines technical coaching with structured physical conditioning. His success in Glasgow is the latest reminder that India’s medal hopes in weightlifting remain heavily concentrated in the northeastern state.

The Rule Behind the Snatch Record

While Kasdan’s 121kg snatch was matched later in the competition, Singh’s record stands because of a straightforward IWF rule: the first lifter to achieve a new record weight is credited with it. All subsequent lifts at the same weight are considered only as having equaled it. This nuance, often overlooked by casual viewers, explains why Singh leaves Glasgow as the official Games record holder despite not winning gold. It also reinforces the importance of sequencing in competitive weightlifting, where the order of attempts can confer lasting recognition.