Australia’s Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) team has created history at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal on the opening day of competition — with Indian-origin teenager Ritam Malik becoming part of a landmark achievement.
Malik, Jesse Moore, Benjamin Foster, Tru Hagens and James Hardy combined for a score of 235.650 points to secure Australia’s first Commonwealth Games team medal in gymnastics since the 2010 Delhi Games.
The Australian team finished behind gold medallists Canada (241.400) and silver medallists England (238.250), while defeating host nation Scotland to claim the historic podium finish.
For Malik, the medal marks another milestone in a rapidly rising international career. The 19-year-old gymnast from Blacktown in Sydney’s north-west became the first athlete of Indian heritage to represent Australia in men’s artistic gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games.
Former Chair of Gymnastics Victoria Molina Asthana told The Australia Today that Malik’s achievement was a proud moment for Australia’s multicultural sporting community. “This is a great achievement by the Australian team and comes after a long wait of 16 years. As former chair of Gymnastics Victoria, it is great to see the Australian Men’s Artistic team make this historic debut,” Asthana said.
“I know first-hand the many gruelling hours of practice required for this level of perfection, so it is a remarkable achievement. I am particularly proud to see someone of Indian heritage who has contributed to this medal.”
Asthana added that gymnastics offered an important pathway for young Australians from diverse backgrounds.
“Gymnastics is an amazing foundation sport and well suited for people of Indian heritage who are not inclined towards contact sport.”
Malik delivered one of Australia’s standout performances during the competition, producing a strong high bar routine and scoring 13.450 to qualify for the apparatus final.
He also played a crucial role in the team’s final push on pommel horse, alongside Moore and Hagens, helping Australia hold onto third place after a tense competition.
The event was briefly halted after England gymnast Gabriel Langton suffered a serious fall on high bar, requiring immediate medical attention. During the lengthy delay, Australian gymnast James Hardy helped maintain team morale by bringing out a deck of cards before competition resumed.
The bronze medal was a significant breakthrough for Australian men’s gymnastics, ending a 16-year wait for a Commonwealth Games team medal.
Malik’s journey to the Commonwealth Games stage began at Sydney Hills Gymnastics, where he started training as a child under the guidance of his family and coaches.
His father Rajesh Malik, a former national gymnastics champion in India, introduced him to the sport. His mother Nirja has supported his nutrition, health and training commitments throughout his career.
The young gymnast was named NSW Junior Gymnast of the Year in 2023 and Australian Junior National Gymnast of the Year in 2024. He later joined the Penn State Nittany Lions men’s gymnastics programme in the United States, where he is studying finance.
Malik has trained at an elite level since childhood, averaging more than 20 hours of training each week, increasing to 24–26 hours in preparation for Glasgow.
With ambitions of competing at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, Malik’s Commonwealth Games debut represents a significant step in a career that could inspire a new generation of Australian athletes from diverse backgrounds.
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