Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has congratulated weightlifter Chanambam Rishikanta Singh for winning a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Chief Minister praised the athlete for his strong performance and said his achievement had brought pride to Manipur and India.
Rishikanta won the silver medal in the men’s 60kg weightlifting event. He finished the competition with a combined lift of 264kg. His performance also included a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch, where he lifted 121kg.
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The achievement marked another proud moment for Manipur’s long sporting tradition. It also added to India’s strong start at the Glasgow Games.
Khemchand Singh Praises Rishikanta’s Achievement
The Manipur Chief Minister has been vocal in celebrating the state’s athletes at the Commonwealth Games. He congratulated Rishikanta after the weightlifter secured silver in Glasgow.
Khemchand described the athlete’s performance as a matter of immense pride for Manipur and the country. He also praised Rishikanta’s dedication, discipline and determination.
The Chief Minister had earlier interacted with Rishikanta and Olympic medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu through a video conference. During the interaction, he congratulated both athletes for their performances at the Games. He also assured them of the state’s continued support.
Khemchand told the athletes that they had made Manipur proud. He also expressed his desire to meet them after their return to the state.
Rishikanta Wins Silver in Men’s 60kg Event
Rishikanta produced a memorable performance in the men’s 60kg weightlifting competition in Glasgow. He lifted 121kg in the snatch and followed it with 143kg in the clean and jerk.
His combined total of 264kg earned him the silver medal. Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Kasdan took gold with a total of 273kg, while Kenya’s Joshua Mboya secured bronze with 260kg.
Rishikanta’s 121kg snatch also set a new Commonwealth Games record. The personal-best performance underlined his progress on the international stage.
The Manipuri lifter had a chance to challenge for gold. However, he could not complete his final 151kg clean and jerk attempt. He eventually finished second but still delivered one of the standout performances for India at the Games.
A Historic Medal for Manipur
Rishikanta’s silver carried special significance for Manipur. He became the first male weightlifter from the state to win a Commonwealth Games medal. His achievement further strengthened Manipur’s reputation as one of India’s strongest sporting states.
The state has produced several successful athletes across different sports. Weightlifting, in particular, has remained one of Manipur’s strongest disciplines.
Rishikanta’s success added another important chapter to that legacy. His record-breaking performance also showed the growing strength of Indian weightlifting at major international competitions.
The achievement came on the same day that another Manipuri weightlifting star, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, won gold in the women’s 48kg category. Mirabai lifted a total of 190kg and set new Commonwealth and Games records.
Together, the two athletes gave Manipur a remarkable double celebration.
Mirabai Chanu and Rishikanta Bring Glory to India
Mirabai and Rishikanta played important roles in India’s early medal success at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Mirabai won her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women’s 48kg category. She lifted 85kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 190kg. Her victory also gave India its first gold medal of the Games.
Rishikanta followed that success with his silver medal in the men’s 60kg event. His 264kg total gave India another podium finish and highlighted the country’s strength in weightlifting.
The performances also reflected Manipur’s important contribution to India’s sporting success.
Rishikanta’s Journey to the Commonwealth Games
Rishikanta’s silver medal carries significance beyond the numbers on the scoreboard. His journey to the Commonwealth Games podium involved financial difficulties and personal challenges.
Before reaching the international stage, he worked at a roadside dhaba to support himself. Reports said he sometimes trained while managing with limited food and resources. His journey highlights the determination required to succeed in professional sport despite difficult circumstances.
Rishikanta also dealt with a knee injury during his competition in Glasgow. The injury affected his clean and jerk attempts and made his silver-medal performance even more impressive.
Despite these challenges, he produced a personal-best total and secured a historic medal for his state.
Leaders Applaud Rishikanta’s Performance
Rishikanta’s achievement received praise from leaders across the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Manipuri weightlifter and praised his determination and personal-best performance. Modi said Rishikanta’s achievement had brought immense joy to the nation and wished him greater success in the future.
Manipur Chief Minister Khemchand also highlighted the athlete’s contribution to the state’s sporting legacy. He said the record-breaking 121kg snatch and 264kg total had brought immense pride to Manipur and India.
The recognition from both state and national leaders reflects the importance of Rishikanta’s achievement.
Manipur Continues Its Sporting Legacy
Rishikanta Singh’s Commonwealth Games silver has once again placed Manipur in the national sporting spotlight. His success shows how athletes from the state continue to make an impact at major international events.
For young athletes in Manipur, his journey offers an example of perseverance and hard work. His performance also demonstrates that difficult circumstances do not have to determine an athlete’s future.
The Chief Minister’s recognition further reinforces the state’s commitment to celebrating its sporting talent. With athletes such as Rishikanta and Mirabai continuing to succeed on the international stage, Manipur’s reputation as a sporting powerhouse continues to grow.
Rishikanta’s Commonwealth Games 2026 silver medal is therefore more than another entry in India’s medal tally. It represents personal determination, state pride and another memorable chapter in Manipur’s rich sporting history.
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