Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga won the second gold for India at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, with a total lift of 300kg.
The 19-year-old from Aizwal wrote the Games snatch (140kg) and overall lift (300kg) record in his name but not before an injury scare as twice he grimaced in pain during the clean and jerk attempts.
Speaking about the injury, he said during the warm-up, his front thigh and inner thigh muscles started to cramp because of which he could not walk a while.
"The warm-up was very good but after a point, my front thigh and inner thigh muscles started to cramp, due to which I could not walk for a while and could not cross the 140kg mark during warm-up," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
He said he is happy to have won the medal for the country, but not satisfied with his performance. "I was expecting to perform better, but winning gold for the country is a proud moment."
Jeremy opened up a 10kg gap with the nearest rival Edidiong Joseph Umoafia of Nigeria when he lifted 140kg in a successful second attempt. He had begun with 136kg. Jeremy further targetted 143kg in his final attempt, but did not succeed.
In clean and jerk, the youngster began with 154kg and followed that up with 160kg, but could not complete the 165kg attempt.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Jeremy saying, “At a young age he has brought immense pride and glory.”
“Our Yuva Shakti is creating history! Congratulations to @raltejeremy, who has won a Gold in his very first CWG and has set a phenomenal CWG record as well. At a young age he’s brought immense pride and glory. Best wishes to him for his future endeavours,” the PM said in a tweet.
—With PTI inputs
