PU weightlifter Gurkaran, cagers win gold in Khelo India University Games

Chandigarh, February 21

Local weightlifter Gurkaran Singh brought laurels to the city by winning a gold medal during the Khelo India University Games in Arunachal Pradesh. Singh set a new tournament record (men’s 81 kg) by lifting a total of 307 kg (140 kg snatch and 167 kg clean and jerk), while representing Panjab University (PU) in the games.

He defeated Vallru Ajay Babu, who won gold in the Junior Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships last year. Babu claimed second position by lifting a total weight to 300 kg (135 kg snatch and 165 kg clean and jerk).

Singh trains under coach Karanbir Singh Buttar at the Sector 42 Weightlifting Coaching Centre. He holds the record for lifting maximum weights in the Panjab University Inter-College Championships. He is also the current junior national champion. Earlier, in January, he claimed a gold medal at the National Junior Weightlifting Championship held in Arunachal Pradesh.

Panjab University men’s basketball team won gold medal in the Khelo India University Games. The team defeated University of Madras 85-84 to win the gold medal. Jain University, Karnataka, claimed third position. In the semifinals, PU defeated Jain University. Besides, the PU men’s air rifle team won bronze medal in Guwahati.