Commonwealth Games 2014: Sathish Sivalingam wins gold, Ravi Kumar claims bronze in the 77 Kg weightlifting event

Sathish Sivalingam

Show of strength

It was a display of overwhelming domination in weightlifting by the Indian lifters as they bagged the gold and silver medals in men’s 77 kg weight category.

Sathish Sivalingam, who bagged three gold medals at the 2013 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships lifted a total of 328 kg (149 in Snatch and 179 in Clean & Jerk) to clinch the yellow plate. His total was 11 kg more than his nearest competitor.

Ravi Kumar Kautulu, a 2010 Commonwealth games gold medalist in 69kg weight category lifted 142 kg in snatch and 175kg in clean and jerk to finish on second position with a total lift of 317 kg. Australia’s Francois Etoundi with a cumulative effort of 314 kg (137 + 177) grabbed the bronze medal.

Sathish started the finals in style as he lifted 149 kg in snatch in his third attempt and thus created the new Commonwealth Games record in snatch.

In clean and jerk, Sathish lifted his best of 179 kg in the second attempt, he went for 185 kg in his third and final attempt, but failed to complete the lift.

Ravi Kumar, who was 7 kg behind the leader Sathish at the half way stage lifted 175 kg in his first attempt of clean and jerk. He also went for 185 kg in his next two attempts but failed on both the occasions and thus had to be satisfied with the silver.

With these two medals, Indian Weightlifters have now won 9 medals in these Commonwealth Games.

India’s medal tally has now gone up to 22 medals which includes 6 golds. 9 silvers and 7 bronze. Team Australia with a total of 73 medals (26G + 21S+ 26B) are holding the first spot whereas English team with 57 medals (23G + 17S + 17B) are on second position.