JEREMY TO CHANGE WEIGHT CATEGORY FOR TOKYO OLYMPICS QUALIFICATION

NEW DELHI: Jeremy Lalrinnunga is a bundle of energy. Known for his explosive power, the 15-year-old Mizoram weightlifter proved his immense talent when he won India’s first gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires recently.

Weightlifting was not a natural choice for Jeremy who hails from Aizawl. His father was a boxer, and a young Jeremy got his first sporting lessons in the ring. But soon he was attracted to weightlifting and scouts at the Army Sports Institute in Aizawl took him under their wings.

“There is nobody in weightlifting in my family but I started liking the sport once I followed my friends and entered a nearby academy. I just love lifting weights and the power associated with it. It is meant for strong men,” says Jeremy with a smile.

“I was confident that I will win gold in Buenos Aires. I fell ill before the event but I have trust in my abilities. I was not able to give my best as I could have lifted 1-2 kgs more but I am happy that I won the medal for the country,” says the Ronaldo fan.

Jeremy lifted a total of 274kg (124kg +150kg) to finish on top in the 62kg category.

But now he will move to 67kg as he attempts to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said national coach Vijay Sharma.

“I have never seen such a talent in the camp. He is disciplined and obedient. The lift in Buenos Aires was a national record in snatch, so he is already taking big strides.” Jeremy has been regularly winning medals at the world level.

He won silver at the Youth World Championships (2017) and gold at the Commonwealth Junior Championships (2016.)

“He is still growing so we will shift him to 67kg. He will miss the World Championships as we are going to work on his body for the next six months and in April he will participate in the Asian Championships. “We are looking at Tokyo Olympic qualification and if he is no injured, Jeremy must make the cut,” he says.