Weightlifter Shubham Todkar wins 67kg gold at Commonwealth Championships | More sports News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India’s Shubham Todkar secured the gold medal in the 61kg category at the Commonwealth Championships. However, despite his victory, his compatriot Sidhanta Gogoi, who was competing in the junior competition, outperformed him and emerged as the best lifter in the category.
Shubham, who is part of the Indian squad for the upcoming World Championships, achieved a total lift of 259kg (115kg in snatch and 144kg in clean and jerk). On the other hand, Sidhanta showcased an impressive performance, lifting a total of 260kg (112kg in snatch and 148kg in clean and jerk) to be crowned the junior champion.
The Commonwealth Championships are simultaneously hosting senior, junior, and youth events at the Gautam Buddha University. Shubham faced a challenging start to the tournament, failing to lift his first snatch attempt of 113kg. Despite the initial setback, he recovered well, successfully lifting the weight in his second attempt and going on to lift 115kg. In the clean and jerk section, Shubham managed to lift 139kg and 144kg but faltered in his final attempt at 147kg.

“I am very happy because it is my first international medal. This is my third international event. But I am not satisfied with my performance, it was not what expected it to be,” Shubham told PTI after the win.
“My hand slipped during that first snatch attempt and I was not able to clean my third clean and jerk attempt, maybe cutting the weight took away some strength from my thighs,” he added.
Sidhanta, on the other hand, was on a roll. The 19-year-old executed five of his six lifts perfectly. The only blip in his impressive performance being the final 152kg clean and jerk lift which he couldn’t complete.
He beat compatriot Shankar Lapung, who lifted 249kg (110kg+139kg) by a massive 12kg margin.
The loudest cheer of the day, however, came from the Samoan camp as 35-year-old Commonwealth Games silver medallist Vaipava Nevo Ioane was crowned the 67kg champion.
The Samoan champion weightlifter, with a best effort of 280kg (120kg+160kg), was far ahead of silver medallist Madhavan T of India, who lifted 268kg (125kg+143kg).
Ioane had finished second to Jeremy Lalrinnunga at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games last year. The Youth Olympic champion is currently nursing a back injury and has thus skipped this tournament.
In the women’s 59kg event, India’s Popy Hazarika changed the shade of her silver from last edition to gold.
She lifted 84kg in snatch and 105kg in clean and jerk for a total of 189kg.
Malta’s Tenishia Thorton’s won the silver with an effort of 186kg (82kg+104kg) while South African Anneke Spies’s bagged the bronze by lifting 185kg (80+105kg).
(With inputs from PTI)