In a story of determination, discipline and family legacy, 22 year-old Valluri Ajaya Babu from Kondavelagada village in Andhra Pradesh won the silver medal in the men’s 79 kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The young Indian lifter finished with a total lift of 330 kg (149 kg in snatch and 181kg in clean & jerk), missing the gold medal by just one kilogram after Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad set a Games record of 331 kg.
Ajaya Babu’s achievement is even more special because he has carried forward a proud sporting legacy. His father, Valluri Srinivasa Rao, won a bronze medal for India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Inspired by his father from an early age, Ajaya trained relentlessly in a village known for producing several elite weightlifters. Before Glasgow, he had already established himself as one of India’s brightest prospects by winning gold at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad with a championship-record total of 335 kg, earning his place in the Indian squad.
The men’s 79 kg final turned into one of the most thrilling contests of the Games. Ajaya opened strongly in the snatch, successfully lifting 149 kg, and followed it up with 181 kg in the clean and jerk to briefly move into the gold-medal position. However, Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad produced a record-breaking final lift to edge the Indian by a single kilogram. Despite the narrow defeat, Ajaya displayed remarkable composure, resilience and sportsmanship, earning admiration from fans and experts alike.
Ajaya Babu’s silver medal was a major boost to India’s medal tally during one of the country’s strongest days at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His podium finish, alongside other Indian medal winners, reflected the growing strength of Indian weightlifting on the international stage and reinforced the nation’s reputation as a powerhouse in the sport.
Valluri Ajaya Babu’s journey is a powerful reminder that greatness is built through perseverance, discipline and unwavering self-belief. From carrying forward his father’s legacy to creating his own place in Indian sporting history, the 22-year-old has shown that dreams become reality through relentless hard work. His Commonwealth Games silver medal is not just a personal milestone but an inspiration for millions of young Indians, proving that no dream is too big when passion meets dedication. As India celebrates another sporting hero, Ajaya Babu’s story will continue to motivate the next generation to dream fearlessly, work tirelessly and make the nation proud on the global stage.
