India’s Nirupama Devi exits Commonwealth Games weightlifting after clean and jerk struggles
Nirupama Devi’s Commonwealth Games Campaign Ends
Indian weightlifter Nirupama Devi faced disappointment in the women’s 63kg category at the Commonwealth Games, recording a Did Not Finish (DNF) after failing to complete her clean and jerk attempts. This outcome occurred despite India’s strong overall performance in weightlifting at the Games.
Nirupama Devi began her campaign with a solid showing in the snatch round. She successfully lifted 93kg in her second attempt, placing her fifth at the end of this segment. This initial performance kept her in medal contention, with only four lifters ahead of her.
Clean and Jerk Disappointment
However, the clean and jerk portion proved challenging for Nirupama Devi. She attempted to lift 123kg, a weight lower than the 127kg she had successfully achieved at the National Championships earlier in the year. Despite this, she failed all three of her attempts at 123kg, leading to her exit from the competition without a total lift.
This result marked a significant setback for the lifter, who had previously secured a silver medal at last year’s Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad with a total lift of 217kg (91kg snatch + 126kg clean and jerk).
Dominance by International Competitors
The event saw Canada’s Tokyo Olympic champion Maude Charron dominate, clinching her third consecutive Games gold medal. Charron set new Commonwealth Games records in both lifts, starting with an effortless 102kg in the snatch. She then lifted another Games record of 130kg in the clean and jerk, achieving a winning total of 232kg.
England’s Sarah Davies Smale earned the silver medal with a total of 217kg (95kg snatch + 122kg clean and jerk). The bronze medal went to 17-year-old Femily-Crystie Notte of Nauru, who recorded a total of 216kg (100kg snatch + 116kg clean and jerk).
India’s Weightlifting Success and Northeast Athletes
Weightlifting has been a particularly fruitful discipline for India at the Commonwealth Games, contributing six of the country’s ten medals so far, including one in para powerlifting. This success underscores the nation’s strength in the sport.
The performance of athletes from India’s Northeast region has been a source of pride, with legendary Manipuri weightlifter Ngangom Kunjarani Devi highlighting their dedication and focus. Kunjarani Devi, a decorated Commonwealth Games athlete, expressed immense pride in the achievements of Northeast athletes, noting their strong, dedicated, and hardworking nature.
She believes that athletes from the Northeast are inherently focused, which contributes to their success in international competitions like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Kunjarani Devi, often regarded as a pioneer of weightlifting in the Northeast, is gratified to witness the region consistently producing champions across various sports.
The growing recognition of the region’s sporting excellence has been acknowledged, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi having declared Manipur as a powerhouse of sports. This recognition, according to Kunjarani Devi, is justified by the athletes’ achievements over the years.
Looking ahead to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Kunjarani Devi offered encouragement to prominent athletes like Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain, both from the Northeast. She expressed confidence that they would secure medals for the country.
The inclusion of ten athletes from Manipur alone in India’s contingent for Glasgow highlights the region’s significant contribution to national sports. This achievement is particularly notable given the prolonged political and social unrest experienced in the state in recent years. Kunjarani Devi views their selection as an example of resilience, emphasizing the importance of overcoming challenges to achieve dreams. She believes this serves as a great inspiration for young sportspersons to persevere and motivate themselves.
For Kunjarani Devi, who paved the way for many athletes from the Northeast, the region’s continued rise in sports signifies that talent, perseverance, and self-belief can triumph over adversity. As India anticipates the Glasgow Games with high expectations, Kunjarani Devi is convinced that the Northeast will play a crucial role in the country’s pursuit of medals.
Source: m.rediff.com
