Young Indian weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga on Sunday rewrote the Games record by winning the gold medal in men’s 67kg category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The 19-year-old, hailing from Aizawl in Mizoram, managed a total lift of 300kg (140kg in snatch and 160kg in clean & jerk) to wins India’s second gold medal in the ongoing competition and in weightlifting after Mirabai Chanu won gold in women’s 49kg category on Saturday.
At the National Exhibition Centre, Jeremy began with a 136kg lift in his first attempt in the snatch phase of the competition, taking the lead immediately.
He later improved that with a 140kg lift and despite being unsuccessful in the third attempt of lifting 143kg, which could have been his personal best, Jeremy remained on top of the competition at the end of the snatch phase with a 10kg lead.
In the clean & jerk round, Jeremy began with a successful lift of 154kg, but in the process, he injured himself. He came back to successfully lift 160kg in the second attempt and took his aggregate to 300kg. But he again fell down immediately and felt some pain in the back after completing the lift.
Despite the injury, Jeremy bagged the gold.
Twitterati hailed the Mizo lifter for overcoming pain to win glory.
Here are a few reactions
Congratulations, Jeremy Lalrinnunga for winning gold in Weightlifting at #CommonwealthGames. Your self-belief despite injury during the event enabled you to create history & inspire millions.Your podium finish has filled Indians with pride. Wishing you more such moments of glory.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 31, 2022
#JeremyLalrinnunga the 19 year old, beating the pain – secures the Gold Medal for India at Commonwealth Games. An inspirational start by him, what a guy! #CommonwealthGames #JeremyLalrinnunga. pic.twitter.com/Llb1Ou1JkV
— रोशन तिवारी (@Roshankt099) July 31, 2022
Most neglected North East has given Second chance to stand on National Antham to whole Indian. #MirabaiChanu #JeremyLalrinnunga
— Dhyan Jyoti Bhuyan (@BhuyanDhyan) July 31, 2022
#CommonwealthGames22 #Birmingham2022 What a champion this guys is❤️❤️ Absolute warrior ❤️ Loved the commitment, Attitude more that anything else. #JeremyLalrinnunga pic.twitter.com/hXPvjje4Bv
— PrithviSinghRautela (@SPrithvi67) July 31, 2022
