Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga notched up India’s maiden gold medal at the Youth Olympics, claiming the top honours in the men’s 62 kg category here.
The 15-year-old from Aizwal, who is also a world youth silver-medallist, lifted a total of 274 kg (124 kg +150 kg) to finish on top in the Argentine capital on Monday night.
The silver medal went to Turkey’s Toptas Caner, who lifted 263 kg (122 kg + 141 kg), while Colombia’s Villar Estiven Jose took the bronze with an effort of 260 kg (115 kg + 143 kg). The Mizo sensation, who will turn 16 on October 26, is being touted as the next big name in Indian weightlifting.
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“Lalrinnunga’s father, Lalneihtluanga, is a former boxer who has seven national-level gold medals to his credit,” said N. Thangchungnunga, the president of the Mizoram Weightlifting Association.
Lalrinnunga was himself an aspiring boxer, before he shifted to weightlifting on the advice of coaches and was picked up by the Army Sports Institute scouts in 2011 at the age of eight.
His father is currently employed with Mizoram’s Public Works department. Earlier this year, Lalrinnunga claimed a silver (youth) and a bronze (junior) in the Asian Championships, smashing two national records in the process.
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His maiden gold also means that India is set to record its best ever performance at the Youth Olympics. The country has already won four medals, with Tushar Mane and Mehuli Ghosh bagging a silver each in 10m rifle shooting, while Thangjam Tababi Devi won India’s first medal in judo by finishing second in the 44kg category.
India won just two medals — a silver and a bronze — in the last Youth Olympics in 2014 in Nanjing in China. In the inaugural 2010 edition in Singapore, the nation fetched six silver and a couple of bronze medals.
While Lalrinnunga made the nation proud, weightlifter Sneha Soren could not finish on the podium in the women’s 48kg category, signing off fifth.
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In swimming, Srihari Nataraj, who competed in the 100m backstroke final despite being a reserve, could only manage a sixth position.
In other events, Archana Kamath and Manav Thakkar, India’s representatives in table tennis, won their singles matches of the group stage.
Kamath beat Malaysia’s Javen Choong 4-2, while Thakkar defeated Slovakia’s Aleksandra Vovk 4-1. It was a big win for India in hockey as the team thrashed Austria 9-1.
Rising badminton sensation Lakshya Sen had it tough against Danylo Bosniuk in the first game before he regained his composure to beat the Ukrainian 23-21, 21-8. The country is being represented by 47 athletes at the ongoing Games, its biggest ever contingent.
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