GUWAHATI: Weightlifters from Assam brought laurels to the state and country bagging as many as three gold medals in different categories at the ongoing Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2023 being held in Greater Noida.
Popy Hazarika, Sidhant Gogoi, and Bedabrata Bharali made it to the top of the podium in their respective weight categories at the 2023 Commonwealth Senior, Junior & Youth Weightlifting Championships ongoing at Gautam Buddha University Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh from July 12 to 16.
Popy Hazarika displayed the full extent of her strength and technique in the 59-kilogram category, clinching the gold medal. Assam’s Popy participated in the senior category at the weightlifting championship, clinching the top spot. A total of six lifters competed in the senior women’s 59kg category.
She lifted 84 kg in Snatch and 105 kg in the Clean & Jerk categories. The 24-year-old weightlifter had bagged a silver medal at the 2021 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent. She has now upgraded her medal to a gold one after lifting a total of 189kg.
Popy Hazarika bested Tenishia Thornton of Malta, who finished in second position with a total lift of 186kg (82kg snatch + 104kg clean and jerk).
Anneke Spies of South Africa secured the third place, lifting a total weight of 185kg (80kg snatch +105kg clean and jerk).
Sidhant Gogoi was not to be outdone. He dominated with a stellar performance in the 61-kilogram category at the championship, securing the top spot on the podium.
On his part, Bedabrata Bharali also solidified the triumph of Assam, securing a gold medal in the heavily competitive 67-kilogram category. Bharali came out with an outstanding achievement, lifting an impressive 121 kilograms in the snatch event and an even more impressive 148 kilograms in the clean and jerk event.
As a whole, the Indian contingent started out in the senior Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2023 on a high note, gathering a total of five medals on the opening day of the event.
The India athletes excelled in different categories by securing three gold medals and two silver medals in the weightlifting competition, being held at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Over 250 weightlifters hailing from 20 countries are participating in the championship, across three divisions: junior, youth, and senior. The prestigious event, featuring world-class talent, will come to a close on July 16.
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