Weightlifting at National Games: Mirabai pips Sanjita for 49kg gold | More sports News

GANDHINAGAR: Olympic silver medalist Mirabai Chanu should have won the gold medal with a total lift of 191 kg in the women’s 49 kg bodybuilding competition at the 36th National games here Friday.
Mirabai, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August, claimed the title after lifting 84kg in the snatch and 107kg in the clean and jerk.
Competing in her second National Games, Mirabai revealed that she was nursing a left wrist injury, due to which she did not attempt her third attempt in both sections.
“I recently injured my left wrist while training at NIS, Patiala, after which I made sure not to risk it further. World’s Championships are coming in December,” she said.

“It is a proud moment for me to represent Manipur at the National Games, and the excitement doubled when I was asked to lead the contingent at the opening ceremony. It normally gets hectic to attend the opening ceremonies as my event starts early the next day, but I felt like I had to challenge myself this time around,” she added.
The little Manipuri, who is aiming for her first podium at the asian games next year, prefers to stay in the moment and focus on the world championships where she will face weightlifters from the Asian powers.
“Yes, an Asian Games medal is missing from the cabinet, and that’s something that comes to mind. This will be my first Asian Games after missing the 2018 edition due to a back injury. The level of competition at Asiad will be great, but for me the main goal now is the Worlds, where I can face the same lifters,” the 28-year-old said.

Sanjita Chanu settled for the silver medal with a total lift of 187 kg (Snatch 82 kg, C&J 105 kg), while Sneha Soren from Odisha took bronze after totaling 169 kg (Snatch 73 kg, C&J 96 kg) at the Mahatma Mandir here.
“This is a special moment for me. But congratulations to Mirabai. She deserves all the praise and accolades for her brilliant effort,” a visibly emotional Sanjita said in a statement.
“It’s great to participate in the National Games and represent my state. Last time (in Kerala in 2015) I won the gold medal in a lower weight class, but after seven years, the level of competition is definitely increasing.”
In the snatch, Mirabai took an early advantage raising the bar to 81kg on her very first attempt, before a clean 84kg effort on her second lift gave her a 3kg cushion on her Manipuri teammate Sanjita, who could handle 80 kg and 82 kg in her. first two attempts.
Sanjita’s third attempt to lift 84 kg was ruled a foul. Mirabai preferred to save her energy and did not show up on the third attempt.
In the clean and jerk, Sanjita lifted 95kg in her first attempt before raising the bar to 100kg and 105kg, with all three attempts getting the go-ahead from the judges.