Rishikanta Singh Ruled Out of Asian Games 2026 With Knee Injury

Rishikanta Singh Ruled Out of Asian Games 2026

Rishikanta Singh has been ruled out of the Asian Games 2026 because of a knee injury, dealing a setback to India’s weightlifting campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The 21-year-old Manipuri lifter was the only male weightlifter included in India’s squad for the continental event.

Rishikanta had earned his place in the Asian Games squad after producing a strong performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He won the silver medal in the men’s 60kg category despite carrying a knee problem into the competition.

His withdrawal means India will now have no male representative in weightlifting at the upcoming Asian Games.

Rishikanta Singh Faces Injury Setback After Commonwealth Games

Rishikanta Singh suffered the knee injury around a week before the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July. Despite the problem, he competed in the 60kg event and delivered a medal-winning performance.

The Indian lifter finished second in Glasgow with a total lift of 264kg. He matched Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Kasdan in the snatch at 121kg but recorded 143kg in the clean and jerk, finishing behind the Malaysian lifter’s Games-record total of 273kg.

The Commonwealth Games silver was an important achievement for Rishikanta, but the injury continued to affect his preparation after the competition.

Rishikanta Singh Advised Rehabilitation Before Return

Following further assessment of his knee, Rishikanta Singh was advised to undergo rehabilitation for a month. The Indian Weightlifting Federation had hoped that he would recover in time for the Asian Games, but his condition did not improve sufficiently for him to compete.

The decision to withdraw him from the squad has been taken with his recovery in mind. His absence also means India will not have the male weightlifting representation that had initially been planned for the Asian Games.

Rishikanta Singh Leaves India Without a Male Weightlifter

Rishikanta Singh was the lone male lifter in India’s Asian Games weightlifting squad. His withdrawal therefore leaves the country without a male competitor in the sport at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

The setback comes shortly before the Asian Games, which are scheduled to take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4. Rishikanta had been expected to build on his Commonwealth Games performance and compete against some of Asia’s leading lifters.

Instead, India’s weightlifting campaign will now be entirely represented by its women’s contingent.

Rishikanta Singh Absence Leaves Four Women in India Squad

With Rishikanta Singh out, India’s Asian Games weightlifting squad consists of four female lifters. The group is led by Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, who will compete in the 49kg category.

The other Indian women selected are Gyaneshwari Yadav in the 53kg category, Seram Nirupama Devi in the 61kg category and Harjinder Kaur in the 69kg category.

Gyaneshwari also arrives in Japan after winning silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Her Glasgow performance and subsequent preparations have made her one of the Indian lifters to watch at the Asian Games.

The four-member women’s group will now carry India’s entire weightlifting challenge in the absence of Rishikanta.

Rishikanta Singh Withdrawal Changes India’s Weightlifting Campaign

Rishikanta Singh’s withdrawal changes the composition of India’s weightlifting contingent at a crucial stage of the Asian Games build-up. His Commonwealth Games silver had raised expectations around his Asian Games campaign, but the knee injury has forced him to step away from the competition.

For the young lifter, the immediate priority will be rehabilitation and a complete recovery before returning to competition.

For India, attention will now turn to the four women lifters who will represent the country in Japan.

Rishikanta Singh Setback Comes After Commonwealth Games Silver

Rishikanta Singh’s Commonwealth Games silver remains the strongest recent result of his senior international career. His performance in Glasgow showed his ability to compete at a high level even while managing an injury.

However, the decision to withdraw him from the Asian Games reflects the seriousness of his current fitness situation. Reports state that he has been advised to undergo a month-long rehabilitation programme following his medical assessment.

The Asian Games will therefore come too soon for the 21-year-old lifter, who will instead focus on returning to full fitness.

Rishikanta Singh Absence Puts Focus on India’s Women Lifters

Rishikanta Singh’s absence leaves Mirabai Chanu and the other three Indian women lifters as the country’s representatives in weightlifting at Aichi-Nagoya.

Mirabai brings significant international experience to the team, while Gyaneshwari enters the event after her Commonwealth Games silver. Nirupama and Harjinder will also look to make their mark against strong Asian competition.

India will therefore begin its Asian Games weightlifting campaign without a male competitor, but with four women aiming to deliver strong performances on the continental stage.