Commonwealth Games 2026: All you need to know about Ashok Malik

Ashok Kumar Malik's journey in para powerlifting is a story of resilience as much as strength. Paralysed from the waist down as a child, the Haryana lifter overcame years of adversity to become one of India's most accomplished para powerlifters.

After battling a devastating arm injury that nearly ended his career, Ashok fought his way back to the international stage, earning medals at the Asian Para Games and Asia-Oceania Championships before representing India at the Paris Paralympics.

Now, he returns to the Commonwealth Games aiming to build on the strongest phase of his career.

Early days

Born on April 27, 1989, in Mirzapur Kheri village in Haryana's Sonipat district, Ashok was left paralysed from the waist down after suffering a high fever at the age of three.

Rather than allowing his disability to define him, he developed a passion for building upper-body strength. Inspired by Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, he began spending hours in the gym despite facing ridicule from those who doubted his ambitions.

His dedication gradually transformed him into one of the country's strongest para powerlifters, and he went on to become a multiple-time national champion in the 65kg category.

A career nearly cut short.

Ashok's greatest challenge came at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Indonesia.

During competition, he suffered a horrific arm injury that crushed both the radius and ulna bones, leaving doctors doubtful that he would ever compete again. Around the same period, he also lost his father and faced significant financial hardship.

With the support of his mother, coaches and rehabilitation team, Ashok slowly rebuilt his strength and confidence. The recovery took years, but he eventually returned to competition determined to prove he could still perform at the highest level.

Return to the international stage

Ashok's comeback gathered momentum from 2022 onwards.

He won gold at the Asia-Oceania Para Powerlifting Championships in the combined standings while also securing a bronze medal in the individual competition. Later that year, he added another major achievement by winning bronze at the Asian Para Games.

His consistency continued at the global level. A silver medal at the 2024 World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh secured his qualification for the Paris Paralympics, where he lifted a personal best of 206kg to finish sixth in the men's up to 65kg category.

In 2026, he further strengthened his credentials by winning bronze at the Asia-Oceania Para Powerlifting Championships in Bangkok while continuing to dominate on the domestic circuit.

Eyes on Glasgow

The 2026 Commonwealth Games mark Ashok's return to the competition after first appearing at Gold Coast in 2018.

Armed with valuable experience from the Paralympics, World Cups and continental championships, he enters Glasgow as one of India's experienced para powerlifters in the men's lightweight category.

From overcoming paralysis as a child to recovering from a career-threatening injury, Ashok's career has been built on persistence and determination.

His remarkable comeback has established him once again among India's leading para powerlifters, and the Commonwealth Games offer another opportunity to add to an already inspiring journey.