New Delhi: In the absence of star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, Gyaneshwari Yadav gave the home crowd a chance to celebrate by winning the gold medal in the women’s 49kg event at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships here on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Dnyaneshwari from Chhattisgarh clocked personal bests in both snatch and clean and jerk. He lifted a total of 176 kg (78 kg and 98 kg) to secure the top spot. Compatriot Jhili Dalbehra, who had beaten Dnyaneshwari at the Asian Championships in October last year, gave her a tough fight this time too. Jhilli lifted 169 kg (75 kg and 94 kg) to win the silver medal like last time.
“I am happy not only to represent India in the competition but also to win a gold medal for my country,” Dnyaneshwari told PTI.” “I was not feeling well before the competition. I was vomiting.” The gap between Mirabai and other Indian lifters in the 49kg category was clearly visible during the competition. The lifter from Manipur had won a silver medal in the 49kg category at the Tokyo Olympics with a lift of 202kg (87kg and 115kg).
Mirabai lifted 10 kg more in snatch and 21 kg in clean and jerk than Dnyaneshwari’s effort on Wednesday at the Tokyo Olympics. It was a contest between two lifters in the men’s 55kg category. Mukund Aher of India became the champion. Also competing in the junior category, Mukund lifted 239kg (106kg and 133kg) while Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman of Bangladesh won the silver medal with a lift of 207kg (92 kg+115 kg).
In the morning session, India’s Komal Kohar won the gold for the hosts in the women’s 45kg category. This is a non-Olympic category. Komal won the gold medal among three athletes with a lift of 154 kg (68 kg and 86 kg). Only one of his attempts at snatch was valid. Srimali Samarakoon Divishekar Mudianselage of Sri Lanka won the silver medal with a total lift of 146 kg (61 kg + 85 kg), while Kim Legnano of Malta finished third with a total lift of 134 kg (58 kg + 76 kg). The lifter from Malta won medals in all three categories, senior, junior, and youth.
