Apia, Samoa : India’s rising weightlifting stars delivered a statement performance at the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships and the accompanying Universal Cup Weightlifting, clinching four gold medals in a single day and underlining the country’s growing depth in the sport.
Competing against top lifters from across the Commonwealth, Indian athletes dominated multiple weight categories across youth, junior, and senior divisions, showcasing both technique and composure on the international stage.
Sunil Singh Dominates Men’s 65kg Youth Category
Sunil Singh spearheaded India’s charge with a commanding display in the men’s 65kg youth class. He registered a total lift of 271kg, comprising 126kg in snatch and 145kg in clean and jerk, to comfortably secure the gold medal.
“It’s been a fantastic competition. I focused on consistency and hitting my lifts one at a time,” Singh said after his victory.
Aisangfa Gogoi Shines in Women’s 58kg
India’s second gold of the day came through Aisangfa Gogoi in the women’s 58kg division. Gogoi lifted a combined 185kg — 79kg snatch and 106kg clean and jerk — maintaining control throughout the contest to stay ahead of the field.
“This gold motivates me to aim higher — next stop is the World Juniors,” Gogoi remarked.
Abhinob Gogoi Adds to the Golden Run
In the men’s 71kg category, Abhinob Gogoi delivered another outstanding performance, recording a total of 284kg (129kg snatch + 155kg clean and jerk) to clinch India’s third gold medal. His performance highlighted the technical maturity and strength that India’s next generation of lifters is steadily developing.
Charu Pesi Strikes Gold in Universal Cup
India’s fourth gold came in the senior segment of the competition, the Universal Cup, where Charu Pesi triumphed in the men’s 65kg class with an impressive 289kg total — 127kg in snatch and 162kg in clean and jerk.
“It’s special to transition from junior to senior level and still perform well,” Pesi said, reflecting on competing against more experienced lifters.
Federation Applauds the Team’s Effort
Indian Weightlifting Federation president Sahdev Yadav praised the athletes and coaching staff for the remarkable showing.
“These achievements reflect the hard work and commitment of our athletes and support team. India continues to rise as a strong contender on the global weightlifting stage,” he stated.
India’s four-gold haul at Apia is more than just a medal count — it is a glimpse into the future of Indian weightlifting, where youth and junior lifters are already demonstrating the ability to dominate at international competitions.
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