Home
India's Gururaja Poojary bagged bronze medal in the second weightlifting event of Day 2 at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022. In the 61 kg category, Gururaja lifted 151kg in clean and jerk and 118 kg in snatch to guarantee India a medal at the event.
Born in Udupi, Karnataka, Gururaja started weightlifting in 2010 when he was in college. Five years later, he joined the Air Force and a year after in the Indian National Camp. The 30-year-old is a truck driver's son who had humble beginnings and almost gave up on his dream to pursue the sport because of financial constraints.
In the last edition of CWG games in Gold Coast, Australia, he won a silver medal in the 56kg weight category.
"I started my career in weightlifting during my university days and with proper guidance from my coaching staff I always had the belief that I can achieve great heights in the designated field and after representing at university level I got selected for national as well," Gururaja told Sports Tak after bagging the bronze medal.
“Since the morning I had a feeling that if I put my best foot forward I can win a medal for India and I would like to thank my coaches for constant backing,” he added.
Earlier, Sanket Sargar won silver medal in the 55kg category. Sargar missed out on gold as he injured his shoulder in the second attempt of clean and jerk.
