Weightlifter Sanket Mahadev Sargar won India its first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 by grabbing a silver in the men's 55kg final on Saturday, 30 July.
Despite risking an injury, Sargar put up a brilliant show and lifted a total of 248kg in the snatch and clean and jerk categories, to finish second out of 11 competitors.
Malaysia's Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq clinched the gold with a total lift of 249kg, while Sri Lanka's Dilanka Yodage (225kg) came third.
Each lifter has two categories to compete from in a weight section – snatch and clean and jerk. Three efforts each are given for every lifter in both the categories.
The maximum weight lifted by a weightlifter out of their three attempts in both these categories is then added to obtain the final score. The lifter who lifts the maximum weight (final score) finally emerges as the winner.
Sargar first took the lead in the 55kg section by finishing on top of the snatch category with a big 113kg lift in his third attempt.
The weightlifter from Sangli seemed to go from strength to strength as he started with a 107kg lift in his first attempt, followed by a 111kg lift in his second attempt, and a massive 113kg lift in his third and final attempt, to emerge at the top in the snatch category.
The 21-year-old then continued with a clean lift in his first attempt in the clean and jerk round. He locked in 135kg and had no issues in completing his lift – giving himself a healthy lead in the category.
However, he seemed to have injured his right elbow region while attempting his second lift of 139kg. The broadcast showed Sargar struggling in the back room as a doctor looked at his arm, however the Indian coaches and Sargar chose to continue on, but he could not complete his lift as the pain was visibly overpowering.
"I heard a snap-like sound during the second attempt in clean and jerk and dropped the weights. After that my coach had a look at my arm, there was a lot of pain but I had to make the third attempt. I tried to secure the gold, but i could not do it," Sargar told the waiting media after the final.
"I am very disappointed and angry as I lost the gold medal. I had prepared and worked so hard for the gold medal but unfortunately, this injury prevented me from claiming gold," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Congratulates Sanket
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to offer his wishes to Sanket as he took to twitter to congratulate the 21-year-old weightlifter.
"Exceptional effort by Sanket Sargar! His bagging the prestigious Silver is a great start for India at the Commonwealth Games. Congratulations to him and best wishes for all future endeavours," Modi tweeted.
"I want to dedicate this medal to all the freedom fighters who didn't care for their lives and gave us independence," said Sargar who became the second Commonwealth medalist from Sangli after wrestler Bharti Mane (Bharati Mane).
In the last edition, Indian lifters brought home a rich haul of nine medals including five golds. This year too they are expected to reign supreme.
Later in the day, P Gururaja (61kg), Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu (49kg) and S Bindyarani Devi (55kg) will vie for the top honours in their respective events.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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