Valluri Ajaya Babu will make his Commonwealth Games debut in the men’s 79kg category at Glasgow 2026.

The Indian weightlifter has won medals at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships over the last few years and will now look to continue his family’s Commonwealth Games legacy.

Early days

Born on November 25, 2004, in Kondavelagada village in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, Valluri comes from a family with a strong weightlifting background.

He was introduced to the sport in 2015 by his father, Valluri Srinivasa Rao, a former international weightlifter who won bronze in the men’s 69kg category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Valluri’s journey is closely linked to the rich weightlifting tradition of northern Andhra Pradesh. Villages such as Kondavelagada, Amadalavalasa and Godalam have produced several national and international weightlifters through village gyms, dedicated coaches and a strong sporting culture.

Kondavelagada itself has produced around 20 national and 13 international weightlifters, with Valluri now carrying that tradition forward.

Rise through the ranks

Valluri made his breakthrough at the 2023 Khelo India Youth Games, where he won gold in his weight category and set a new national record.

The performance earned him a place in the Indian team, and he soon began competing at major international events, including the Asian Weightlifting Championships.

Achievements

Valluri announced himself on the international stage in 2024 by winning gold medals in both the junior and senior categories at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. He also claimed a silver medal at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships.

His biggest performance came at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad.

Competing in the men’s 79kg category, Valluri won gold with a total lift of 335kg, including 152kg in the snatch and 183kg in the clean and jerk. He also set championship records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift.

The victory secured his place in India’s squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Apart from weightlifting, Valluri serves as a Havildar in the Mission Olympics Wing of the Indian Army’s 3 EME Centre.