Joshua Amunga has made history by winning Kenya’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, securing bronze in the men’s 60kg weightlifting category.
Competing at the SEC Armadillo on Sunday, the 20-year-old lifted a combined 260kg, comprising 115kg in the snatch and 145kg in the clean and jerk, to earn a place on the podium.
Amunga’s performance saw him beat Sri Lanka’s SDSS Wiriduwagle, who finished fourth with 244kg. Malaysia’s Mohamad Kasdan claimed gold with a Games record 273kg, while India’s Rishikanta Singh took silver.
“It’s my first biggest medal, the first one I’ve got in the biggest competition,” Amunga said after the event.
The young lifter revealed that overcoming injury and maintaining consistency were key challenges on his journey to the Commonwealth podium. He credited his coach for helping him stay focused and trust the process.
Amunga’s manager Pius Ochieng, praised the athlete’s progress, saying the bronze medal marks the beginning of a promising career in weightlifting.