16-Jun-2009 97
National record holder Sukhen Dey today did Indian proud by becoming the first male lifter of the country in decades to win a medal at the world level by bagging bronze in the World Junior Weightlifting Championships in Bucharest, Romania.
The 56kg lifter from West Bengal finished third in snatch (109kg) though he ended up fourth overall with a total lift of 241kg. Medals are awarded in snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift.
Dey’s effort was one kilogram less than his National record of 242kg which he set in the National junior championships at Noida last September. Dey, who is one of the core group lifters preparing for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, missed out on a medal in clean and jerk on body weight.
His 132kg effort tied with Republic of Moldova’s Duduglo Iuri but had to miss out on a bronze as the Indian had more body weight — 55.81kg to 55.64kg of his opponent.
Wu jingbiao 280(125+155) of China, dudoglo iuri 247(115+132) of moldova and itokazu yoichi 243(105+138) of Japan won overall gold, silver and bronze respectively.
