Who is Putul Sonowal? Underdog Topples World Champion in Stunning CWG Debut
At 43, Putul Sonowal was not expected to make headlines at his debut Commonwealth Games.
Yet on Day 1 of Commonwealth Games 2026, the Assam-born lawn bowls player pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets, defeating Canada's Ryan Bester, the reigning World Outdoors Champion and a World Bowls Hall of Famer, in the Men's Singles Sectional Play.
It was the kind of result that announces a player to the world, even if Indian lawn bowls fans already knew exactly who he was.
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Who Is Putul Sonowal?
Putul Sonowal, 43, hails from Assam and has spent years serving with Assam Police, representing the force in lawn bowls alongside his professional duties.
His sporting journey began on the domestic circuit before gradually building toward international recognition.
How Did He Rise Through the Domestic Ranks?
Sonowal's first major breakthrough came at the National Lawn Bowls Championship, where he won gold in Men's Triples.
He followed that with a Men's Singles bronze at the National Games and was also named the best men's player at the Inter-District Lawn Bowls Championships.
What Made Him a Contender Heading Into CWG 2026?
Sonowal entered the Commonwealth Games 2026 ranked World No. 21 and as one of India's notable medal hopes. Most significantly, he arrived as the reigning Asian Champion, having won gold at the Asian Lawn Bowls Championship in 2026.
Who Did He Beat?
His opponent, Canada's Ryan Bester, is no ordinary player. Bester is a World Bowls Hall of Fame inductee, a three-time CWG medallist with two silvers and a bronze, and the reigning World Outdoors Champion, as per NDTV.
Beating him on a debut Commonwealth Games appearance, in a tiebreaker no less, makes Sonowal's win one of the most remarkable upsets in Indian lawn bowls history.
How Did the Match Unfold?
Sonowal took the first set 5-4 before Bester hit back with a dominant 7-3 win in the second. The match went to a tiebreaker, where Sonowal held his nerve to complete the upset.
How Did the Rest of India Fare in Lawn Bowls on Day 1?
India's women also delivered. The pair of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh defeated Malta's Rebecca Louise Rixon and Connie-Leigh Rixon in a tiebreaker.
India won the first set 7-1, conceded the second, and clinched the tie on the final bowl.
What Does This Result Mean for Indian Lawn Bowls?
A 43-year-old police officer from Assam defeating the world champion on his first Commonwealth Games appearance does more than generate a headline.
It signals that Indian lawn bowls have depth, experience, and the competitive nerve to compete against the world's best.
(With inputs from yMedia)