Indian weightlifting team to be announced on Friday

The Indian weightlifting team for the Rio Olympics will be decided on Friday at the NIS, Patiala, after the final trials.

India has secured two quota places, one each in the men's and women's sections.

The Indian weightlifting team for the Rio Olympics will be decided on Friday at the NIS, Patiala, after the final trials. India has secured two quota places, one each in the men's and women's sections.

Sathish Sivalingam (77kg), Vikas Thakur (85kg) and R.V. Rahul (85kg) among men and Mirabai, Sanjitha Chanu (both 48kg) and Punam Yadav (63kg) in women, will be taking part in the trials.

Only two male Indian weightlifters — Satheesha Rai in 1996 (Atlanta) and Ravi Kumar in 2012 (London) — have qualified for the Olympic Games. Rai finished 15th, while Ravi placed sixth.

In the women’s section, Karnam Malleswari created history by bagging bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics in 69kg, and N.S. Chanu finished seventh in 2012 in 48kg