Valluri Ajaya Babu CWG 2026 became one of the biggest sports stories after Indian weightlifter Valluri Ajaya Babu won the silver medal in the men’s 79kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026. The event took place on 27 July 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, where the young lifter from Andhra Pradesh produced an outstanding performance. He lifted a combined total of 330kg, including 149kg in the snatch and 181kg in the clean and jerk. His impressive effort also earned him a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch, making it another memorable achievement for Indian weightlifting.

Ajaya Babu Delivers a Brilliant Performance

Valluri Ajaya Babu entered the competition with high expectations after his strong performances in recent international events. He lived up to those expectations by delivering one of the best performances of his career on the Commonwealth Games stage.

His total lift of 330kg kept him in contention for the gold medal until the very end. He finished only one kilogram behind Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad, who won the gold medal with a Games record total of 331kg.

Although he narrowly missed the top position, Ajaya Babu’s silver medal is a major achievement for both the athlete and Indian weightlifting.

Commonwealth Games Record in the Snatch

One of the biggest highlights of Ajaya Babu’s performance was his 149kg lift in the snatch, which became a new Commonwealth Games record in the men’s 79kg category.

The snatch requires an athlete to lift the barbell from the floor directly overhead in one smooth movement. It is considered one of the most technically demanding lifts in weightlifting because it combines strength, speed, flexibility, and perfect balance.

Breaking a Commonwealth Games record on such a prestigious international stage demonstrates Ajaya Babu’s exceptional ability and technical skill.

Strong Performance in the Clean and Jerk

After completing the snatch event, Ajaya Babu continued his excellent performance in the clean and jerk, successfully lifting 181kg.

The clean and jerk is divided into two stages. First, the athlete lifts the barbell to the shoulders, known as the clean. Then, the barbell is lifted overhead in the jerk.

This event demands explosive power, coordination, and mental focus, especially under the pressure of international competition.

Combining his best lifts in both events gave Ajaya Babu a final total of 330kg, enough to secure the silver medal.

Understanding Olympic Weightlifting

International weightlifting competitions follow the Olympic-style format, which consists of two separate lifts:

Snatch

The snatch requires the athlete to lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion without stopping.

Clean and Jerk

The clean and jerk involves two movements. The athlete first lifts the weight onto the shoulders and then pushes it overhead.

Each competitor receives multiple attempts in both disciplines. The best successful lift from each event is added together to calculate the athlete’s combined total, which determines the final rankings.

This format rewards athletes who perform consistently in both disciplines.

Commonwealth Games Weightlifting

Weightlifting has remained one of the most popular sports at the Commonwealth Games for many years.

Athletes from countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations compete in different bodyweight categories under international rules established by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

The men’s 79kg category is one of the recognised weight divisions in international competition, allowing athletes of similar body weight to compete fairly.

Weightlifting continues to be one of India’s strongest sports at the Commonwealth Games, with Indian athletes regularly winning medals across several weight categories.

A Rising Star from Andhra Pradesh

Valluri Ajaya Babu was born on 25 November 2004 in Kondavelagada village, located in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh.

From an early age, he showed exceptional talent in weightlifting and gradually progressed through national and international competitions.

His dedication, disciplined training, and consistent improvement have helped him become one of India’s most promising young weightlifters.

Winning a Commonwealth Games medal at a young age further strengthens his reputation as a future star in international weightlifting.

Weightlifting Runs in the Family

Ajaya Babu’s success also reflects a strong sporting tradition within his family.

His father, Valluri Srinivasa Rao, represented India and won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Ajaya Babu has now added another Commonwealth Games medal to the family’s sporting achievements.

Their accomplishments highlight how experience, guidance, and determination can inspire success across generations.

Consistent Success Before Glasgow

The silver medal at the Commonwealth Games is another milestone in Ajaya Babu’s rapidly growing career.

Some of his recent achievements include:

Gold medal at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad with a total lift of 335kg.
Gold medals in both the junior and senior categories at the 2024 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships.
Silver medal at the 2024 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships.

These consistent performances demonstrate his steady progress and ability to compete successfully against strong international opponents.

His results also show that he has become one of India’s leading young weightlifters.

India’s Strong Tradition in Weightlifting

India has built a strong reputation in Commonwealth weightlifting over the years through the achievements of athletes such as Mirabai Chanu, Jeremy Lalrinnunga, Achinta Sheuli, and many other medal winners.

Improved coaching, modern training facilities, sports science support, and increased opportunities for young athletes have helped Indian weightlifters perform consistently at major international competitions.

Ajaya Babu’s silver medal continues this tradition and reflects the growing depth of talent in Indian weightlifting.

A Bright Future Ahead

The performance of Valluri Ajaya Babu at the Commonwealth Games 2026 highlights the emergence of another exciting Indian athlete on the international stage. Winning a silver medal while setting a new Commonwealth Games snatch record demonstrates both his technical excellence and competitive spirit. With impressive achievements already at a young age and consistent success in international competitions, Ajaya Babu has established himself as one of India’s brightest weightlifting talents. His Glasgow performance adds another proud chapter to India’s sporting journey and signals a promising future for Indian weightlifting on the global stage.