Bihar vegetable seller's son wins Commonwealth Games bronze: Meet Jhandu Kumar, who drove an e-rickshaw to fund his training & turned years of taunts over his name into triumph

For years, people laughed at his name. They doubted his future after polio left him disabled and watched him drive an e-rickshaw to fund his training.

On Friday, those doubts were replaced by applause as Jhandu Kumar, the son of vegetable sellers from Bihar, won India's first medal at the Commonwealth Games by claiming bronze in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event.

The 28-year-old lifted 181kg and 190kg to finish with 130.9 points, securing a place on the podium and turning a life marked by hardship into an inspiring sporting success.

From village taunts to the Commonwealth Games podium

Jhandu Kumar's journey began in a small village in Bihar, where life was defined by financial hardship.

His parents earned a living by selling vegetables, while he contracted polio at the age of five, leaving him with a permanent disability.

Recalling his childhood, Kumar said people constantly questioned what his future would look like.

"My family says that I got polio when I was five years old. I had to sit down and walk. People used to taunt me. They used to say, 'Now that he has become disabled, what will he do?'"

Instead of allowing those remarks to define him, he continued working towards a career in sport.

Why is his name 'Jhandu'?

One of the most unusual aspects of Kumar's story is the origin of his first name. His parents reportedly spent everything they had trying to treat him after he contracted polio.

People around them mocked the family, saying they had spent all their money on their son.

The nickname "Jhandu" stayed. For a time, he attempted to change his name to Avinash Kumar.

However, during a visit to a government office, officials called out "Jhandu Kumar", repeatedly asked him about the name and laughed.

Rather than hiding from it, he decided to embrace it. "I felt if everyone is having a good laugh at my name, then this name is good only."

Today, all his official documents carry the name Jhandu Kumar.

Driving an e-rickshaw to pay for training

Sport was never financially easy. Before joining the national training programme, Kumar spent eight to nine months driving an e-rickshaw to earn money for protein supplements and his daily diet.

"I drove the e-rickshaw for my diet. I thought I would earn Rs 200-400 and buy supplements so I could continue going to the gym."

The long working hours often left him exhausted before training sessions. Operating the vehicle was also challenging because of his disability.

"I had trouble pressing the brake, but I managed despite the polio."

How Jhandu Kumar entered para powerlifting

Kumar did not originally plan to become a powerlifter. He initially competed in shot put before Bihar coach Kundan Pandey noticed his physique and encouraged him to try para powerlifting.

He entered a state championship in Sasaram and gradually progressed through district, state and national competitions.

Winning bronze at the 2022 National Championships convinced him that he could compete internationally.

The same year, fellow Indian para powerlifter Sudhir won Commonwealth Games gold, inspiring Kumar to dream even bigger.

"When our gym owner told me Sudhir bhai had lifted 212kg and won Commonwealth Games gold, I said I would also do it for my country."

Winning India's first Commonwealth Games medal

Representing India in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event, Kumar safely completed his opening lift before lifting 190kg to move into medal contention.

His final attempt of 196kg, which could have improved his medal colour, ended unsuccessfully.

Despite missing out on gold, he remained positive. "The third lift was for the gold medal. I could not get the gold medal. It was a technical fault. I made a mistake in my breathing."

He admitted that he has barely slept since winning bronze. "The happiness is overwhelming. I haven't been able to sleep since last night."

Parents celebrate victory back home

Now training at the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar, Kumar says his sporting requirements are now fully supported.

Back in Bihar, however, life remains simple. His parents continue selling vegetables, while celebrations erupted across his village after his medal-winning performance.

"My parents are happy. Sweets have been distributed in my village."

Eyes now on the Paralympics

For Kumar, the Commonwealth Games medal is only the beginning.

He is already preparing for the Para Asian Games and the Paralympic Games, with an ambitious long-term goal. "There is a record of 232kg. I want to break that record."


Inputs from PTI