Mizoram Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga Claims India’s First Youth Olympics Gold

At a time when the sportspersons from North-East India are catching the attention of the nation and the world, another instance of a Northeastern sports star has created a sensation as a youth from Mizoram made his mark in world weightlifting. A weightlifter from Mizoram, Jeremy Lalrinnunga, who will only turn 16 on October 26 bagged India’s maiden gold medal at the Youth Olympics in the men’s 62 kg category.

Jeremy, who hails from Aizawl, is also a world youth silver-medalist. Jeremy lifted a total of 274 kg (124 kg +150 kg) to finish as a winner in the 62 kg category of men’s weightlifting of Youth Olympics held in the Argentina capital Buenos Aires on Monday night.

The Mizoram boy preceded Turkey’s Toptas Caner, who lifted 263 kg (122 kg + 141 kg) and won the silver medal and Colombia’s Villar Estiven Jose who won a bronze with an effort of 260 kg (115 kg + 143 kg).

Before this, in this year only, Jeremy claimed a silver (youth) and a bronze (junior) in the Asian Championships with which he made two national records in weightlifting.