The gutsy Sanket Sargar lifted his way to the coveted silver medal in weightlifting to open India's medal account in the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Saturday. Sanket was on course for gold but Malaysia’s Bin Kasdan clinches it with a stunning attempt right at the end to win the coveted medal. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Dilanka Isuru Kumara 225kg (105kg+120kg) took home the bronze.
Sanket Sargar injured his right elbow it looked while going for his second attempt at 139 kgs. After some consultation, he came out for the third attempt but couldn’t complete that too.
Sanket Sargar lifted 135 kg in his first attempt of clean and jerk before missing his weight of 139 kg in his second and third attempt at the Men's 55kg weightlifting event to continue his dominance.
Earlier, he had lifted 113 kg in snatch his third attempt. He is leading in the men's 55 kg weightlifting final. He had lifted 111kg and 107 kg in his second and first attempts in snatch, respectively.
Three-time national champion and gold medallist in the Commonwealth Championships in December last year, the 2022 Commonwealth Games are more than a sports event for weightlifter Sargar, who will be participating in the 55kg category.
Sargar, 21 years old, had shattered commonwealth and national record as he lifted 256kg (snatch — 113kg; clean and jerk — 143kg) at the Singapore Weightlifting International in February this year and was determined to break those records in Birmingham.
Still struggling for a stable job, Sargar helps out in his father’s paan shop and food stall in Sangli, Maharashtra, and dreams of the day when he can ask his father to take a break and put his feet up.
In the last edition, Indian lifters brought home a rich haul of nine medals including five golds. This year too they are expected to reign supreme.
Later in the day, P Gururaja (61kg), Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu (49kg) and S Bindyarani Devi (55kg) will vie for the top honors in their respective events.
