BHUBANESWAR 15-Oct-2011 220
Weightlifters once again made Orissa lifters proud with Minati Kumari Das, Pramila Kirsani, Subhasmita Mohanty and Achyutananda Sahoo winning a total of 11 gold and one silver medal in the Commonwealth Championship, which was held at Cape Town, South Africa from October 10 to 15.
With star lifter and Arjuna Awardee K Ravi Kumar skipping the Commonwealth meet in order to prepare himself for the World Championship, lesser-known lifters proved that Orissa has lot of talents, good enough to win laurels for the country in the iron sport.
Minati Das, a native of Berhampur, claimed three gold in 44 kg youth competition with a total lift of 100kg. She lifted 45 kg and 55 kg in snatch and clean and jerk respectively. In the 53 kg girls youth event, Pramila Kirsani claimed three gold, lifting 65 kg in snatch and 90 kg in clean and jerk respectively for a total of 155 kg.
Achyutnanda Sahoo, who hails from Kendrapara district, won three gold in 62 kg youth category, lifting 102 kg in snatch, 130 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 232 kg.
Subhasmita Mohanty won two gold and one silver medals in the 63kg youth girls category. A trainee of Government Sports Hostel, Bhubaneswar, Subhasmita lifted 60kg in snatch and 72kg in clean and jerk for a total of 132kg.
Indian lifters signed off their campaign on a high note bagging a total of 110 medals, including 53 gold. In all the weight categories, three medals are awarded in each of snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift.
The achievement of the lifters drew a surprise reward as Orissa Cricket Association announced a cash award of Rs 50,000 for each of the four Orissa lifters.
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PHOTO: Commonwealth gold medal winning Orissa lifters (L to R) Minati Das, Pramila Kirsani and Achyutananda Sahoo.
