Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Raja Muthupandi on his Commonwealth Games silver, while Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Vijay announced a ₹30 lakh cash reward.
Glasgow: India's Raja Muthupandi poses with the silver medal after finishing second in the men's 65kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday, July 26, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Biplab Banerjee)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi on winning the silver medal in the men’s 65kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, hailing the lifter for adding another medal to India’s growing tally.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Another medal for India in weightlifting! Congrats to Raja Muthupandi on winning a silver in the men’s 65 kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His success makes every Indian happy and proud. My best wishes for his upcoming endeavours.”
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Another medal for India in Weightlifting!
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Congrats to Raja Muthupandi on winning a Silver in the Men’s 65 kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His success makes every Indian happy and proud. My best wishes for his upcoming endeavours.#CWG2026 pic.twitter.com/4e2hT8WHyX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 27, 2026
Raja clinched silver with a combined lift of 286kg, comprising 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk. Malaysia’s Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed claimed gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Vijay congratulated Raja Muthupandi, who hails from Thoothukudi district in the state, and announced a ₹30 lakh cash reward for his Commonwealth Games silver medal.
“My heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to Mr. Raja Muthupandi from Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, who has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the silver medal in the men’s 65 kg weightlifting category at the 23rd Commonwealth Games currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland.
“In recognition of Mr. Raja Muthupandi’s achievement, a cash incentive of 30 lakh rupees will be awarded on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu. May his victory inspire new enthusiasm and confidence among the youth. My best wishes for him to achieve many more accomplishments and bring pride to the Indian nation and Tamil Nadu,” the Chief Minister posted on X.
ஸ்காட்லாந்தின் கிளாஸ்கோ நகரில் நடைபெற்று வரும் 23-வது காமன்வெல்த் விளையாட்டுப் போட்டியில், ஆண்களுக்கான 65 கிலோ பளுதூக்கும் எடைப் பிரிவில் வெள்ளிப் பதக்கம் வென்று சாதனை படைத்துள்ள தமிழ்நாட்டின் தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்டத்தைச் சேர்ந்த வீரர் திரு. ராஜா முத்துப்பாண்டி அவர்களுக்கு எனது… pic.twitter.com/elI9Q6dUhN
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) July 27, 2026
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also praised the 26-year-old’s performance.
“Proud Moment for Indian Weightlifting! Many congratulations to Raja Muthupandi for clinching Silver in Men’s 65kg Weightlifting,” Mandaviya wrote on X.
Proud Moment for Indian Weightlifting!
Many congratulations to Raja Muthupandi for clinching Silver in Men’s 65kg Weightlifting. #Cheer4Bharat #CWG2026 pic.twitter.com/qjldVR9ja5
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 27, 2026
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, meanwhile, congratulated all Indian medallists during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, highlighting Raja’s silver alongside Mirabai Chanu’s gold, Rishikanta Singh’s silver and para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar’s bronze.
“On behalf of the House, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the athletes, their families and their coaches for their remarkable achievements,” Birla said.
India’s success story at the #CWG2026 continues.
Congratulations to Raja Muthupandi on winning Silver in the Men’s 65 kg Weightlifting event. Your commendable performance reflects unwavering determination, discipline and sporting excellence. This well-earned achievement has… pic.twitter.com/d0JmVrUSgb
— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) July 27, 2026
Raja’s silver completed a memorable day for India’s weightlifting contingent after Mirabai Chanu won her third successive Commonwealth Games gold in the women’s 48kg event and Rishikanta Singh claimed silver in the men’s 60kg category, taking India’s medal tally to four.
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