India missed an early chance to get on the board at CWG 2026 after para powerlifter Ashok Kumar Malik finished fourth in the men’s lightweight event. The result left him just outside the medal positions in a closely watched contest.
Malik’s fourth-place finish means he narrowly missed out on a podium spot in para powerlifting. While it was not enough to secure a medal, the performance kept India in contention and underlined how tight the competition was in the lightweight category.
The outcome also meant India could not open its account in the tally through this event. With Malik ending just short of the top three, the wait for an early breakthrough continued.
Even without a medal, the event added to India’s presence in para sport at CWG 2026. Malik’s effort stood out as a competitive showing, though it ultimately fell one place short of the podium.
