PM Modi, Sports Min Mandaviya laud weightlifters for CWG success
New Delhi, July 28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sport Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have lauded Indian weightlifters Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam and Valluri Ajaya Babu for the podium finish at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.
Bindyarani secured the bronze medal in the women's 58kg weightlifting competition on Monday. The Manipur lifter finished third with a total lift of 199kg, registering 87kg in snatch and 112kg in the clean and jerk. Bindyarani Devi had won a silver medal in the 2022 edition in Birmingham in the 55kg weight-class.
"Yet another medal for India in weightlifting! Proud of Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam for winning a bronze in the Women's 58kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Her success is due to her hard work and determination. Wishing her the very best for the endeavours ahead," PM Modi posted on X.
Ajaya Babu set a Commonwealth Games record of 149kg in the snatch before lifting 181kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 330kg, narrowly missing gold in the men's 79kg competition after finishing just 1kg behind Malaysia's Muhammad Erry Hidayat.
"Sheer strength on show! Many congratulations to Khelo India athlete Valluri Ajaya Babu on winning the silver medal in the men's 79 kg weightlifting. With a total lift of 330 kg, he also set a Commonwealth Games record in the Snatch. A memorable performance and another proud moment for Bharat," Mandaviya shared on X.
Also, Gyaneshwari Yadav claiming silver in the women's 53kg event on her CWG debut. The 23-year-old, who moved up from the 49kg category to accommodate Mirabai Chanu, produced a personal-best total of 199kg (88kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk).
On Sunday, Mirabai Chanu shattered the Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, clean and jerk and total on her way to gold in the women's 49kg event. Rishikanta Singh claimed silver in the men's 60kg, while Muthupandi Raja added another silver in the men's 65kg.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So proud of all our athletes! Especially happy for Gyaneshwari Yadav, first CWG and she gets a silver. And adjustable-mental strength to shift weight categories for the team. That's real sportsmanship. Modi ji and Mandaviya ji's words are nice but I hope the government provides better facilities and stipends so these athletes don't struggle financially.
Impressive performance by India at the Commonwealth Games. The dominance in weightlifting, especially from Mirabai Chanu, is world-class. Interesting to see how the government's Khelo India program is producing results like Ajaya Babu. Keep it up!
Well done to all our weightlifters! 💪 But let's not get too carried away with CWG medals. Real test is Asian Games and Olympics. We need to improve our doping control and scientific training. Also, why is only weightlifting getting limelight? So many other sports need attention. Good start though!
Bindyarani Devi is a star! From silver in 2022 to bronze now, consistent performance. And her coming from Manipur, a state with limited facilities, shows what raw talent can do if given opportunity. But why is the media only covering Modi ji's tweets? Should interview these athletes and show their struggles. That would inspire more youth.
Great job by Indian weightlifters! The records being shattered are truly impressive. Ajaya Babu missing gold by just 1kg shows the thin margins at this level. Happy to see the government's support through Khelo India paying off. Looking forward to more medals!
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