No Pain, No Gain

Ahero’s welcome awaited Jeremy in Aizawl, Mizoram, after he won gold in the 67 kg weight category, setting a Games record in the process. It was a long due trip given the youngster has been away from his parents and five siblings for long spells training at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala under the guidance of Vijay Sharma, also coach of Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu. Lalrinnunga was seen as the next big thing in the sport after strong showings at the junior level, including the first Indian to win gold at the Youth Olympic Games in 2018. Injuries have plagued his smooth transition to the seniors but his CWG performance offers proof that the future of Indian weightlifting is in sturdy hands. Paris 2024 can’t come any sooner.