Hat-trick queen: Mirabai smashes CWG records for third straight gold; Rishikanta, Raja secure silver
Mirabai Chanu reminded the world why she remains the undisputed queen of Indian weightlifting, delivering a performance worthy of a champion clinching her third successive Commonwealth Games gold medal while Rishikanta Singh and M Raja also secured silver medals here on Sunday.
The Indian weightlifters, a dominant force in the Commonwealth competitions, delivered as expected, winning at least a medal in all the three weightlifting events on the day.
While Mirabai fetched the gold in the women's 48kg, there was disappointment for the duo of Rishkanta Singh (men's 60kg) and Raja (65kg) who were both gold contenders but signed off with silver.
Magnificent Mirabai
The result was never really in doubt, the only question was how far Mirabai would push the limits. And the Manipuri superstar answered in emphatic style, rewriting the record books with a stunning display of strength and composure.
Despite not eating and drinking for days to maintain weight, the 31-year-old shattered the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, while also setting new CWG marks in clean and jerk and total.
She lifted a commanding 190kg, with a best effort of 85kg in snatch and 105kg in clean and jerk.
Tears rolled down as she stood proudly on top of the podium singing the national anthem. She was also sporting tri-coloured ribbons in her head.
"Jaldi jaldi karo, maine kuch khaaya nahi hai 2 din se (please do this quickly I haven't eaten in 2 days)," was the first thing Mirabai told reporters.
It was an emotional day for the Tokyo silver medallist who broke down again while talking about the support her mom, and coach Vijay Sharma gave.
"They have supported me through thick and thin.
"I was under a lot of pressure from family and friends, so happy to win third gold for India," she said after the win.
"I was not going to put too much effort in these Games but I failed my first attempt. Coach and I had thought that I would do two lifts each."
Her dominance was such that Ruth Asuquo Nyong of Nigeria finished a distant second with a total lift of 168kg, a staggering 22kg behind Mirabai’s winning effort.
It was a day of two Manipuri weightlifters as Rishikanta clinched a silver. Two missed clean and jerk attempts, however, proved costly for Rishikanta who had hopes of winning the gold.
The Manipuri lifter finished with a total of 264kg (121kg+143kg), matching the Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with a superb opening display before faltering in the clean and jerk.
Mirabai's competition began when everyone else in the field was done
Mirabai endured a nervous start, failing to register her opening snatch attempt at 82kg.
But true to her champion's temperament, she quickly regained her rhythm, showing the grit and class that have defined her remarkable career. She came back to lift the 82kg with a vengeance and then went on to smash the Commonwealth record.
Even in the clean and jerk, Mirabai faced a brief moment of uncertainty, failing to complete her opening attempt. However, the Olympic medallist responded like a champion, effortlessly hoisting the same 105kg weight in her second attempt.
The lift not only secured the gold but also shattered the Commonwealth Games record in the clean and jerk category and bettered the total lift mark.
With the contest already sealed, Mirabai chose not to take unnecessary risks and skipped her third attempt, keeping in mind the Asian Games, scheduled less than two months away.
Rishikanta too smashes records
Rishikanta cleared 121kg in the snatch to equal the Games record and entered the clean and jerk in pole position.
However, he could only manage 143kg after failing his last two attempts in clean and jerk, allowing Malaysia's Mohamad Aniq Kasdan to snatch the gold.
Kasdan also lifted 121kg in the snatch before producing a Games record of 152kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 273kg, rewriting both the clean and jerk and overall Commonwealth Games records.
"I had come here with a target of winning the gold. It was going on well till the snatch section but I could not do well in clean and jerk due to a knee problem. I told this to my coach," Rishikanta said after his event.
"I did give the fight but I was not able to push, one thigh was not pushing up due to the knee (problem). Otherwise, I have done 155kg (clean and jerk) during training and 153kg in competitions.
"But I am the first male weightlifter from Manipur to win a medal in Commonwealth Games. I am happy for that. People must be celebrating at home," said the weightlifter from Ngairangbam village in Imphal West district.
Raja wins silver
Raja fetched the third medal of the day for India.
The Tamil Nadu lifter, who had failed to finish on the podium eight years ago in Gold Coast, lifted 126kg in snatch, and 160kg in the clean and jerk to finish with a total of 286kg.
But the disappointment on Raja's face was visible.
"I had come for the gold but it didn't go as per plan. I am not able to tell you what happened but I am very disappointed," he said.
Malaysia's Muhamad Aznil Bin Bidin won the gold with a Games record total lift of 299kg, while Papua New Guinea's Morea Baru took the bronze with combined lift of 282kg.
(Source: PTI)
