Ajaya Babu Secures CWG 2026 Silver in Thrilling Weightlifting Final

Indian weightlifter Valluri Ajaya Babu has made the nation proud by securing a silver medal in the men's 79kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow, Scotland. The 21-year-old athlete from Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh delivered a stellar performance, lifting a total of 330kg, which included a Commonwealth Games record-breaking 149kg in the snatch event and 181kg in the clean and jerk. This remarkable feat came after an intense and captivating duel for the gold medal against Malaysia's Erry Hidayat Muhammad, who ultimately claimed the top spot with a total lift of 331kg, just one kilogram more than Ajaya Babu. England's Chris Murray secured the bronze medal with a total of 325kg. The competition in the men's 79kg weightlifting category was a nail-biting affair, characterized by multiple record-breaking lifts that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Ajaya Babu initially set a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch by successfully lifting 149kg, finishing the snatch section ahead of his rivals. The clean and jerk section, however, witnessed a dramatic exchange of record-breaking attempts. Hidayat first lifted 181kg, setting a new Games record. Ajaya Babu responded by matching this lift in his final attempt, temporarily taking the lead with a combined total of 330kg. However, Hidayat then executed a powerful final lift of 184kg, regaining the record and clinching the gold medal by the narrowest of margins. Ajaya Babu reflected on this thrilling contest, describing his silver medal as "a mix of happiness and sadness" given how close he was to gold. This silver medal holds a special significance for Ajaya Babu and his family, as he has not only carved out his own place in Indian sporting history but also bettered a cherished family legacy. His father, Valluri Srinivasa Rao, was also an accomplished international weightlifter who won a bronze medal in the men's 56kg category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Ajaya Babu's achievement of a silver medal sixteen years later represents a significant upgrade to the family's distinguished record on the international stage. Hailing from Kondavelagada village in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, a region known for its rich weightlifting heritage, Ajaya Babu's success further highlights the area's tradition of producing talented lifters. Ajaya Babu's journey to the Commonwealth Games 2026 saw him enter the competition in impressive form. He had previously secured a gold medal in the men's 79kg category at the 2025 Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad, where he achieved a personal-best total of 335kg (152kg snatch + 183kg clean and jerk), setting new championship records. This performance earned him direct qualification for the Glasgow Games. He had also won double gold (junior and senior) at the 2024 Commonwealth Championships in Fiji. This silver medal is India's sixth in weightlifting at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games, contributing to the nation's strong performance in the sport. On the same day, India also saw Gyaneshwari Yadav win a silver in the women's 53kg event and Bindyarani Devi secure a bronze in the women's 58kg category, further underscoring India's dominance in weightlifting at these Games. The 2026 Commonwealth Games are being hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026, marking the fourth time Scotland has hosted the Games.

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