Glasgow: Rajinder Singh Rahelu, coach of Indian para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar, stated that the squad had set its sights on securing a gold medal, though a minor calculation error and miscommunication ultimately kept them from the top step of the podium at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Speaking to ANI after Jhandu captured a bronze medal, Rahelu noted that the team had mapped out the necessary lifts beforehand and remained assured of a gold-medal finish.

"It's a very good thing, feeling very good. We already knew; we had done the calculations. We had targeted gold, but for some reason, it was missed," Rahelu told ANI.

He observed that the contest for the premier title was fierce, attributing the narrow shortfall to a communications breakdown and a slight miscalculation.

"The competition for gold was very tough, as we saw. But it wasn't that; it was just miscommunication. I was a bit far, and there was some difficulty in calculation. As you saw, the medal was missed by just two points," he said.

Rahelu clarified that a two-point margin in para-powerlifting roughly equates to 2 to 3 kilograms, rendering the contest exceptionally tight.

"Two points means 2-3 kilograms. But considering how the body performs in such close calls, there was a slight error in calculation. But it's okay, we have a medal, and we've opened India's account, which is a very good thing," he added.

Jhandu secured his podium finish with a top successful lift of 190kg, accumulating 130.9 points. He commenced his campaign strongly by clearing 181kg for 124.7 points before advancing to 190kg on his second attempt, briefly propelling him to the summit of the leaderboard.

For his final effort, Jhandu attempted 196kg, a weight that would have shattered the Commonwealth Games record established at Birmingham 2022. However, he failed to complete the lift, ultimately settling for the bronze.

Earlier in the event, India's lightweight representatives missed out on podium finishes. Ashok placed fourth in the men's final with a personal-best lift of 200kg worth 143.8 points, whereas Paramjeet Kumar took seventh with 176kg and 135.6 points.

In the women's lightweight division, Jaspreet Kaur came sixth after managing 100kg for 96.4 points, and Suman Devi finished seventh with a best lift of 100kg yielding 88.4 points. Meanwhile, Kasthuri Rajamani failed to register a valid total in the women's heavyweight final after registering three unsuccessful attempts.

Jhandu's bronze medal represents India's opening success in para-powerlifting at the Glasgow Games.

ANI