India ends Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2023 with 18 medals
text_fields
Noida: The Indian senior weightlifting contingent wrapped up their participation in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2023 with an impressive tally of 18 medals on Sunday. India showcased their strength by securing eight gold medals, eight silver medals, and two bronze medals at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida.
On the final day of the event, Lovepreet Singh, a bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games 2022, claimed a silver medal in the men's 109 kg category, while Purnima Pandey secured a bronze medal in the women's 87 kg category. Lovepreet Singh demonstrated his prowess by lifting a combined weight of 341kg (154 kg snatch and 187 kg clean and jerk), securing the second spot in the 109kg senior category.
Fiji's Taniela Rainibogi clinched the gold medal with a total lift of 363kg (163 kg snatch and 200kg clean and jerk). The bronze medal went to Britain's Andrew Griffiths, who lifted a total weight of 340kg (155kg snatch and 185 kg clean and jerk), reported Olympics.com.
In another event on the same day, Purnima Pandey displayed her skills and earned a bronze medal in the women's 87 kg category with a total lift of 227kg (102 kg snatch and 125 kg clean and jerk). Samoa's Iuniarra Sipaia secured the gold medal by lifting a total weight of 262 kg (110 kg snatch and 152 kg clean and jerk). Lesila Fiapule, also from Samoa, claimed the silver medal with a total lift of 250kg (110 kg snatch and 140kg clean and jerk).
With the addition of two medals on the final day, India surpassed their previous performance in the championships. In the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2021 held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, India won a total of 16 medals, including four gold, seven silver, and five bronze.
Apart from the senior category, Indian weightlifters also competed in junior and youth events, contributing to the overall success of the Indian contingent. However, notable weightlifters such as Mirabai Chanu, Achinta Sheuli, and Bindyarani Devi, who are set to represent India in the upcoming Asian Games 2023, did not participate in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships.