Weightlifter Achinta Sheuli (73kg) clinched India’s 3rd gold in the Commonwealth Games 2022.
Debutant Sheuli heaved 313kg (143kg+170kg) to fetch the gold at NEC Hall.
Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad, who gave Sheuli a hard competition, finished as the 2nd best lifter in the event. He had a best endeavour of 303kg (138kg+165kg).
Canada’s Shad Darsigny was 3rd with a total lift of 298kg (135kg+163kg).
Sheuli, a junior world championship silver medallist, executed 3 clean lifts — 137kg, 140kg and 143kg — in the snatch section.
His 143kg effort assisted him thrash the Games record and ameliorate his personal best.
Heading into clean and jerk with a 5 kilogram advantage, the Kolkata lifter started with a 166kg lift, which he hoisted comfortably.
Sheuli then fumbled his 170kg attempt only to raise the weight in the third attempt and create a new Games record in total lift (313kg).
The Indian lifter had to wait calmly towards the end to find out what medal he would take home as the Malaysian attempted a 176kg lift in his last 2 attempts only to fail.
With the gold from Sheuli, the Indian weightlifting squad has gathered its 6th medal of the Games.
