New Delhi: Following their success at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2024 in Doha, Indian youth weightlifters are focused on qualifying for the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. India secured a total of 33 medals, including 13 golds, across youth and junior categories, showcasing their talent on the international stage. National weightlifting coach and Olympian Mirabai Chanu’s mentor, Vijay Sharma, expressed optimism about the future of Indian weightlifting after their performance in Doha.
The Doha event featured 40 categories, with medals awarded for snatch, clean and jerk, and overall performances. Among the highlights was 16-year-old Jyoshna Sabar from Uttar Pradesh, who set a new Asian record in the women’s youth 40 kg class with a combined lift of 135 kgs. This achievement supports Sharma’s belief in the brighter prospects for Indian women in international weightlifting.
The Khelo India initiative played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing grassroots talent, as 22 of the 24 athletes representing India in Doha were Khelo India Athletes (KIA), all training at various Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in Patiala, Imphal, and Aurangabad. Alakesh Baruah, the High-Performance Manager for weightlifting at NIS Patiala, emphasized the importance of youth athletes in building a strong future for Indian weightlifting.
Baruah mentioned that the success at Doha resulted from a long training process and support from both SAI and the Indian Weightlifting Federation. Trials were held in June for various international events, including the Asian championships, allowing for careful team selection by coach Sharma.
Looking ahead, silver medallist Maibam Martina Devi, in the women’s Junior +87 kg category, noted that trials for the Commonwealth Games qualification will begin in 2025, with the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships hosted in Ahmedabad acting as the qualifier. She also plans to compete at the National Games in Uttarakhand, highlighting her commitment to consistent performance.
On the men’s side, Sairaj Pardeshi, who trains at NIS Patiala, achieved a new national record by lifting a total of 310 kg (139 kg snatch and 171 kg clean and jerk) in the men’s youth 81 kg category. He shared how training at SAI centers significantly impacted his development, contributing to aspects such as discipline and diet.
Sairaj started weightlifting at age 12 in Maharashtra and, after facing challenges during the Covid lockdown, joined NIS Patiala in 2021. He expressed gratitude for the support received through the Khelo India scheme, which helps him afford supplements and training necessities. After narrowly missing a medal by 1 kg at the 2024 Youth World Championships, he celebrated winning gold in his first Asian competition.