Weightlifter Sairaj credits NIS Patiala for his record feat

International junior weightlifter, Maharashtra’s Sairaj Pardeshi, a camper at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, has credited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for his fledgling career. The 18-year-old had created a new national record in the overall lift during the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships-2024 in Doha.

He had lifted 310 kg (139 kg snatch+171 kg clean and jerk) in the 81 kg men’s youth category. Sairaj, who will complete one year at the NI, Patiala, in January 2025, credited the impact of training at SAI centres. “It was in 2018 that I started weightlifting in Maharashtra when I was 12 years old. I trained there until the Covid lockdown and then in 2021 got inducted at Aurangabad. Earlier this year, I joined the NIS, Patiala. The SAI centres have contributed a lot to my career in terms of discipline, diet, coaches and many more aspects,” said the young weightlifter.

He further added that, “The scholarship money we get under the Khelo India scheme also helps in me getting the protein supplements, besides other benefits. In the 2024 Youth World Championships, I lost a medal by a margin of 1 kg, but now I am happy to have bagged the gold in the Asian competition on my debut appearance.”

India’s medal-winning athletes are aiming to reach higher levels after their impressive show in Doha. Overall, India won 33 medals across youth and junior categories. The next target for the lifters is Glasgow Commonwealth Games-2026 qualification. National weightlifting coach and Olympian Mirabai Chanu’s mentor Vijay Sharma says the Doha performance was promising and signals “a bright future for India”.

The weightlifting competition in Qatar featured 40 categories — 20 each in youth and junior levels. Medals were awarded for snatch, clean and jerk and overall sections in each of the 40 categories. India’s youth (13-17 years) lifters won 21 medals, including seven gold medals. The juniors (15-20 years) won 12 medals. Uttar Pradesh’s 16-year-old Jyoshna Sabar was among the standout performers in Doha. She created an Asian record in the women’s youth 40 kg class with a combined lift of 135 kg.