Mizo weightlifting sensation clinches India’s maiden gold

Jeremy Lalrinnunga lifted a total of 274 kg (124+150) to win by a margin of 11 kg

BUENOSAIRES:WEIGHTLIFTER Jeremy Lalrinnunga scripted history by winning India’s maiden gold medal at the Youth Olympics, claiming the top honours in the men’s 62kg category here.

The 15-year-old from Aizawl, who is also a world youth silvermedallist, lifted a total of 274kg (124kg +150kg) to finish on top in the Argentine capital on Monday night. The silver medal went to Turkey’s Toptas Caner, who lifted 263kg (122kg+141kg) while Colombia’s Villar Estiven Jose took bronze with an effort of 260 kg (115kg+143kg).

The Mizo sensation, who will turn 16 on October 26, is being touted as the next big thing in Indian weightlifting. “Lalrinnunga’s father, Lalneihtluanga, is a former boxer who has seven national-level gold medals to his credit,” said N Thangchungnunga,

Mizoram Weightlifting Association president.

Lalrinnunga was himself an aspiring boxer before he shifted to weightlifting on the advice of coaches and was picked up by the Army Sports Institute scouts in 2011 at the age of 8. His father is currently employed with Mizoram’s Public Works Department.

Earlier this year, Lalrinnunga claimed a silver (youth) and a bronze (junior) in the Asian Championships, smashing two national records in the process.

His maiden gold also means that India are set to record their best ever performance at the Youth Olympics. The country has already won four medals with Tushar Mane and Mehuli Ghosh bagging a silver each in 10m rifle shooting while Thangjam Tababi Devi won India’s first medal in judo by finishing second in 44kg.

India won just two medals — a silver and a bronze — in the last Youth Olympics in 2014 Nanjing. In the inaugural 2010 edition in Singapore, the nation fetched six silver and a couple of bronze.

While Lalrinnunga made the nation proud, weightlifter Sneha Soren couldn’t finish on the podium in women’s 48kg category, signing off fifth.

In swimming, Srihari Nataraj, who competed in 100m backstroke final despite being a reserve, could only manage a sixth position.

In other events, Archana Kamath and Manav Thakkar, India’s representatives in table tennis, won their singles matches of the group stage. Kamath beat Malaysia’s Javen Choong 4-2 while Thakkar defeated Slovakia’s Aleksandra Vovk 4-1.

It was a big win for India in hockey as the team thrashed Austria 9-1.

In badminton, Lakshya Sen had it tough against Danylo Bosniuk but won 23-21, 21-8.

India is being represented by 47 athletes at the ongoing Games, its biggest ever contingent.