Old warhorse K. Ravi Kumar, a 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 69kg, put up a sensational display to claim a National title after eight years on Tuesday.
Ravi, who had also won the silver medal in 77kg in at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, totalled 342kg to take the men's 89kg crown amidst stiff challenge from the Railways duo of Harshad Wadekar (337kg) and R.V. Rahul (329kg) in the National weightlifting championships at the Railway Indoor Sports Enclave here.
The 30-year-old, who had been battling injuries and had managed a bronze medal in the last edition, was well prepared this year. He began with 145kg and bettered it to 150kg and shared the first place for snatch with Wadekar even after faltering in his attempt to lift 154kg.
The former Armyman, now employed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Odisha, began the clean and jerk with the highest weight of 185kg, but fell short while trying 192kg in his second effort.
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After Wadekar secured a slender two kg lead by hoisting 187kg in his penultimate attempt, Ravi achieved 192kg to quell the Railway competitor's challenge and jump for joy.
“This is a great comeback for me. I want to win some international medals in the coming years,” said Ravi, a hugely popular figure among fellow lifters.
Purnima Pandey of Uttar Pradesh lifted the women's +87kg title with an aggregate of 210kg, including 94kg in snatch.
Purnima enjoyed her luck as Railways lifter Monika, who did 96kg in snatch, could not fight for the top spot due to her three 'no lifts' in clean and jerk.
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