Sanapathi lifted to fame, wins gold

New Delhi, June 13

Gurunaidu Sanapathi has become India’s first weightlifter to win a gold medal at the IWF Youth World Championships in Leon, Mexico.

The 16-year-old lifted a total of 230kg (104kg in snatch, 126kg in clean and jerk) in the boys’ 55kg category late on Sunday.

While Sanapathi, the 2020 Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships bronze medallist, stood on top of the podium, Saudi Arabia’s Ali Majeed, with 229kg (105kg 124kg), was second and Yerassyl Umrov of Kazakhstan was third with 224kg (100kg 124kg). Sanapathi’s compatriot Soumya S Dalvi bagged bronze in the girls’ 45kg category on the second day of the competition.

Maharashtra’s Dalvi, a two-time Khelo India Youth gold medallist, heaved 148kg (65kg 83kg) to claim the third spot behind Rose J Ramos of Philippines 155kg (70kg 85kg) and Venezuela’s Kerlys M Montilla 153kg (71kg 82kg).

The other Indian in the fray, R Bhavani, finished eighth with a best effort of 132kg (57kg 75kg). India’s tally at the event now stands at four medals.