Ajaya Babu’s Commonwealth Games Performance
Valluri Ajaya Babu, a weightlifter from Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, secured a silver medal in the men’s 79kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. His performance included a Games record in the snatch event. This achievement marks India’s sixth medal in weightlifting at the current Games.
During the competition, Ajaya Babu recorded a best snatch lift of 149kg and a clean and jerk of 181kg, resulting in a total lift of 330kg. He narrowly missed the gold medal by just 1kg to Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad, who achieved a total of 331kg.
The snatch section saw Ajaya Babu begin with a 145kg lift, which initially set a Games record. He then improved his performance to 149kg in his final attempt, further rewriting the Games record. Following the snatch section, England’s Chris Murray was in second place with a 148kg lift, while Erry Hidayat Muhammad was third with 147kg.
The clean and jerk section brought a shift in standings. Erry Hidayat Muhammad took the lead with a 177kg lift. Ajaya Babu followed with a 174kg lift. Erry then lifted 181kg, while Ajaya Babu completed a 178kg lift. In his final attempt, Ajaya Babu heaved 181kg, but Erry successfully lifted 184kg, securing the gold medal.
A Family Legacy in Weightlifting
Ajaya Babu’s silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games surpasses the performance of his father, Valluri Srinivasa Rao. Rao, a multiple-time national champion in weightlifting, won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in the 56kg category. Rao had aimed for gold in 2010 but suffered a hamstring injury a month before the Games, which affected his performance.
The village of Kondavelagada in Vizianagaram district, where the family resides, has a rich history in weightlifting. With a population of approximately 3,000, the village has produced around 20 international and about 40 national weightlifters, with Valluri Srinivasa Rao being a notable pioneer.
Despite his father’s success in weightlifting, there were initial considerations for Ajaya Babu to pursue badminton. Pullela Gopichand, a friend of Valluri Srinivasa Rao, had offered to have Ajaya Babu train at his academy in Hyderabad. However, Ajaya Babu’s mother believed he was too young to move away from home.
This decision meant Ajaya Babu and his younger brother, Akhil, grew up immersed in the weightlifting environment of their village, observing their father and others train daily. Both brothers eventually developed a passion for the sport and chose to pursue it professionally.
Path to Glasgow and Future Prospects
Ajaya Babu’s journey to the 2026 Commonwealth Games included significant achievements in previous competitions. He secured a gold medal in the men’s 79kg category at the 2025 Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad. During this event, he achieved a personal-best total lift of 335kg, comprising a 152kg snatch and a 183kg clean and jerk, setting new championship records.
This performance at the 2025 Commonwealth Championships earned him a direct qualification spot for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Prior to this, in the 2024 Commonwealth Championships held in Suva, Fiji, Ajaya Babu won double gold medals in both the junior and senior divisions of the men’s 81kg category.
Following these successes, he participated in the 2025 World Championships in Forde, Norway, where he placed 16th overall among 39 lifters. His consistent performances have established him as a rapidly developing talent in Indian weightlifting.
The competition in Glasgow was intense, featuring strong contenders like Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad, who had previously won silver in the 73kg category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and Canada’s Shad Darsigny, alongside England’s Chris Murray. Erry Hidayat Muhammad also had a family legacy to uphold, as his father, Hidayat Hamidon, won gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Chris Murray ultimately secured the bronze medal in the men’s 79kg category with a total lift of 325kg.
Source: newindianexpress.com
