Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday congratulated weightlifter Raja Muthupandi for winning the silver medal in the men's 65kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. Describing the achievement as a matter of immense pride for Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister announced a cash reward of ₹30 lakh in recognition of the athlete's outstanding performance. He said the honour reflected the state's commitment to encouraging sporting excellence and expressed confidence that Muthupandi's success would inspire aspiring athletes across Tamil Nadu.
In a congratulatory message, CM Vijay praised the weightlifter's determination and perseverance on the international stage. "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Raja Muthupandi for winning the silver medal in the men's 65kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. His success is a matter of immense pride for Tamil Nadu. May this achievement inspire our youth, and I wish him many more victories that will bring honour to both Tamil Nadu and the nation," he said. The Chief Minister described the performance as a significant milestone for the state and reaffirmed the government's support for talented sportspersons.
Representing India in the men's 65kg weightlifting event, Raja Muthupandi, a native of Thoothukudi district, displayed remarkable resilience throughout the competition. In the snatch event, he failed to lift 126kg in his opening attempt but recovered to successfully clear the weight in his second attempt. His final attempt at 129kg was unsuccessful, leaving him with a best lift of 126kg. In the clean and jerk segment, he again overcame an early setback by successfully lifting 160kg after missing his opening attempt at 158kg.
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Muthupandi's combined total of 286kg secured him the silver medal, placing him among the top competitors in his weight category. His comeback from missed opening lifts in both disciplines highlighted his composure and determination under pressure. The performance added another medal to India's tally at the Commonwealth Games, where the country has fielded a 123-member contingent competing across multiple sporting disciplines.
The Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow have brought together nearly 3,000 athletes from 74 countries, providing a major platform for international sporting competition. Muthupandi's achievement has been widely hailed as a proud moment for both Tamil Nadu and India, with the Chief Minister expressing hope that his success will encourage more young athletes to pursue excellence in sports and bring further recognition to the state and the nation.
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