BHUBANESWAR 10-Sep-2012 398
Odisha achieved its best success in powerlifting with a 14-member state squad, including one woman, winning the team title in the unequipped category with a tally of three gold and two silver medals in the 38th the Senior National Powerlifting Championship held at Kozhikode in Kerala from Sept 3 to 8.
According to reports appearing in Odia newspapers, besides the team title, Odisha claimed another notable success with Iswar Machhkund emerging Strongman of India in the unequipped category. He bagged gold medal in 66kg weight class lifting 195kg in squat, 107.5kg in benchpress and 240kg in deadlift for a total of 542.5kg.
Other two gold medals were claimed by Sanjay Nayak in 93kg category (220+155+260= 635kg) and Santosh Kumar Barik in 120kg category (250+117.5+240= 607.5kg). The two silver medals were grabbed by Shakti Ranjan Barik in 74kg class (180+135+220= 553kg) and Sangita Singh in women’s 84kg class (140+170+140= 350kg).
But in equipped category, Odisha could win only one bronze medal through Pradeep Patra, who lifted a total of 632.5kg (242.5+132.5+257.5). P Suresh of Railways and Vandana Dubey of Uttar Pradesh emerged as Strongman and Strongwoman of India in the equipped category.
Formidable Railways retained the overall championship (Men) with 93 points followed by Maharashtra on 79 and Kerala (72). Railways had also won the team championship in the open category (men) with 60 points, followed by Maharashtra 44 and Kerala on 38 points. In women`s section, Chhattisgarh bagged the team championship with 51 points, followed by Maharashtra (35) and Kerala (34 points).
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PHOTO: Odisha powerlifting squad at a felicitation function in Bhubaneswar on Sept 12, 2012.
