T. Muthu: ‘What Sathish has achieved is remarkable’

“We were expecting nothing other than a gold from him. He had done the hard work. He had set targets. We are extremely happy with his performance,” said T. Muthu.

Satish Sivalingam after his feat in Gold Coast on Saturday.

Being a Commonwealth Games medallist himself, T. Muthu understands what it takes to win a medal.

Sathish Sivalingam, who won his second successive gold at the Commonwealth Games in the 77Kg on Saturday at Gold Coast, has been having a stiff thigh and back pain in the run-up to the Games.

As someone, who has coached Sathish in his formative years, Muthu said it’s very difficult especially in a sport like weightlifting. “It is really, really tough,” said the silver medallist (56kg) at 2002 Manchester Games. “In the sport, it takes time to recover when you have an injury. What Sathish has achieved is remarkable,” explained Muthu.

The 42-year-old said he was expecting gold from his former ward. “We were expecting nothing other than a gold from him. He had done the hard work. He had set targets. We are extremely happy with his performance,” said the Southern Railway employee. The fact that he won the first place after completing his clean & jerk in his second of the three attempts (he did not go for the third attempt), showed Sathish’s domination, said Muthu.