India look to open medal account with weightlifting events
25 July 2014 4:03 AM IST
When the competitions begin with the women’s 48kg and men’s 56kg weight categories, respectively, here.
In both weight categories, the Indians are expected to win medals and on Thursday’s performance may set the stage for their challenge at the Games, where they would look to do better than the 2010 Delhi edition.
Nigeria topped the weightlifting medal charts in 2010 edition with five gold, four silver and five bronze followed by Samoa (3, 0, 0) and India (2, 2, 4). This time also, India, with six lifters from 2010 Games, are likely to maintain that level of performance. Nigeria’s preparation has not gone well as lack of funds did not allow them to go for foreign training and exposure.
They have, however, named a strong squad, including 2010 63kg gold winner Obioma Agatha Okoli. India had done exceedingly well in the 2013 Commonwealth Championships in Johannesburg last November. Many Indian lifters are among top three of the latest Commonwealth rankings. 2010 CWG gold medallist in men’s 69kg, K Ravi Kumar is again in the team but he is competing in 77kg this time, and is not expected to win gold in his new weight category having laid low for a long time due to injury.
Khumukcham Sanjita and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu are competing in women’s 48kg and India have the chance to win two medals from this category. This has been a strong category for India since the days of Kunjarani Devi. India had won a silver and bronze in 2010.
In both weight categories, the Indians are expected to win medals and on Thursday’s performance may set the stage for their challenge at the Games, where they would look to do better than the 2010 Delhi edition.
Nigeria topped the weightlifting medal charts in 2010 edition with five gold, four silver and five bronze followed by Samoa (3, 0, 0) and India (2, 2, 4). This time also, India, with six lifters from 2010 Games, are likely to maintain that level of performance. Nigeria’s preparation has not gone well as lack of funds did not allow them to go for foreign training and exposure.
They have, however, named a strong squad, including 2010 63kg gold winner Obioma Agatha Okoli. India had done exceedingly well in the 2013 Commonwealth Championships in Johannesburg last November. Many Indian lifters are among top three of the latest Commonwealth rankings. 2010 CWG gold medallist in men’s 69kg, K Ravi Kumar is again in the team but he is competing in 77kg this time, and is not expected to win gold in his new weight category having laid low for a long time due to injury.
Khumukcham Sanjita and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu are competing in women’s 48kg and India have the chance to win two medals from this category. This has been a strong category for India since the days of Kunjarani Devi. India had won a silver and bronze in 2010.
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