Commonwealth Games: Weightlifter Achinta Sheuli clinches gold medal

Tribune News Service

Birmingham, August 1

Weightlifter Achinta Sheuli lived up to his top billing as he clinched India’s third gold medal at the Commonwealth Games here.

Favourite to win the event, debutant Sheuli heaved 313kg (143kg + 170kg) to grab gold in the 73kg category at the National Exhibition Centre Hall on Sunday.

Malaysia’s Erry Hidayat Muhammad, who gave Sheuli a tough competition, had a best effort of 303kg (138kg + 165kg) to finish second. Canada’s Shad Darsigny was third with a total lift of 298kg (135kg + 163kg).

A lot of sacrifices of my brother, mother, my coach and the Army have gone into this medal. Sometimes when I’m sitting alone, I think about all I’ve seen in life in these few years. But as they said everything happens for good. I’ll just keep fighting and improving myself. —Achinta Sheuli, Gold winner

“I’m very happy about this, I’ve worked hard for this medal. A lot of sacrifices of my brother, mother, my coach and the Army have gone into this medal,” Sheuli said. “This was the first major event in my life and I’m thankful for them to help me reach here. This medal will help me in every aspect of life. There should not be looking back from now on.”

Asked to whom he would dedicate his gold medal, Sheuli said: “I wish to dedicate this medal to my late dad (who died of heart attack), my brother and my coach Vijay Sharma who slaps me if I do a mistake, keeps scolding me like I’m his own child.”

Sheuli, a junior World Championships silver medallist, executed three clean lifts — 137kg, 140kg and 143kg — in the snatch section. His 143kg effort helped him smash the Games record and also improve his personal best. Heading into the clean and jerk with a 5kg advantage, the Kolkata lifter started with a 166kg. He then faltered in his 170kg attempt only to heave the weight in the third attempt and create a new Games record in total lift (313kg).

Ajay misses bronze

A low snatch total and a fluffed clean and jerk lift cost Ajay Singh dear as the Indian missed bronze by a whisker in his maiden Games appearance. The 25-year-old managed a total effort of 319kg (143kg + 176kg) to finish fourth best in the men’s 81kg category. To the crowd’s delight, home favourite Chris Murray 325kg (144kg + 181kg) grabbed gold in a sensational manner as he broke the Games record in total lift.

“I tried my best but it was simply not my day. There were no negative thoughts and coach (Sharma) kept motivating me, I gave my best but could not make it,” Singh said. — PTI

Army link to CWG gold medals

New Delhi: Weightlifter Achinta Sheuli on Sunday became the second Army man, after Jermey Lalrinnunga, to win a gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games. Naib Subedar Lalrinnunga and Havildar Sheuli are part of the Army’s programme named “Mission Olympics”. Both are a product of the Army Sports Institute. With an emphasis on long-term athlete development, the main features of the programme are spotting the talent early, providing top infrastructure and coaching, and taking the help of sports sciences.

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