The Indian weightlifters had a fantastic performance at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Suva, Fiji, securing 3 gold and 4 silver medals in the senior category.
India has long been a dominant force in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, but this year, the federation opted to send a young team to gain valuable experience on the international stage.
The young athletes exceeded expectations, bringing home a total of 7 medals in the senior category—3 in the women’s events and 4 in the men’s events.
The final medal for India in the senior category was clinched on Thursday when Ajaya Babu Valluri won gold in the men’s 81 kg division, with an impressive overall lift of 326 kg (147 kg in the snatch and 179 kg in the clean and jerk).
India topped the medal tally in the junior and youth category
On Friday, India wrapped up the championships by securing two medals in the junior category and three in the youth category. Parv Chaudhary won gold in both the junior and youth divisions of the 96 kg category, lifting an impressive total of 311 kg.
Parv’s victories boosted India’s medal tally in the junior category to 14, comprising 8 golds, 4 silvers, and 2 bronzes. This success also placed India at the top of the medal standings in the junior discipline.
Furthermore, the Indian contingent excelled in the youth competition, finishing at the top of the medal table with a total of 16 medals—12 golds and 4 silvers.
The list of Indian medalists in the senior category:
Gold – Ajaya Babu Valluri – 326 Kg – Men’s 81 Kg
Gold – Akanksha Vyavahare – 146 Kg – Women’s 45 Kg
Gold – Asmita Dhone – 158 Kg – Women’s 49 Kg
Silver – T Madhavan – 295 Kg – Men’s 67 Kg
Silver – Sairaj Pardeshi – 299 Kg – Men’s 81 Kg
Silver – Mina Santa – 180 Kg – Women’s 55 Kg
Silver – A Maharajan – 217 Kg – Men’s 55 Kg