CWG 2018 : Indian Weightlifters to watch out for

Commonwealth Games are set to begin from 4 April 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. Weightlifting has been a sport to watch out for in each and every sporting event. Indian Delegation will be consisting of 15 weightlifters for 15 categories.

In 2014 Commonwealth Games, India delegation consisted of 15 weightlifters. India won 3 gold medals in Weightlifting. The Gold Medalists consisted of - Sukhen Dey (56 kg), Sathish Sivalingam (77 kg) and Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu (48 kg). Apart from 3 gold medals, Indian won 4 silver medals and 5 bronze medals in Weightlifting. India also won 1 Silver Medal and 1 bronze medal in powerlifting in 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Let's go through few of the weightlifters who have various international accolades and will be in a contention to win the Gold Medal for the country and contribute to the medal tally. Weightlifting events will happen from 5-9 April at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

1) Sathish Sivalingam

20th Commonwealth Games - Day 4: Weightlifting — Sathish Sivalingam roared after setting the Games record

Sathish Sivalingam will be competing in the -77 kg category. Sathish Sivalingam won the Gold Medal in the -77kg with 149 kg snatch, and 179 kg clean and jerk lifts, totalling 328 kg. His lift of 149 kg in the snatch, set a new Commonwealth Games record. He was also a part of the Indian Delegation at the Rio Olympics where he finished at 11th place. He was also honoured with the Arjuna Award for weightlifting. Sivalingam's experience will be at stake in the Games. We would definitely love to see Sivalingam retaining his Gold Medal.

2) Vikas Thakur

20th Commonwealth Games - Day 5: Weightlifting — Vikas Thakur competing in 2014 Commonwealth Games

Vikas Thakur will be competing in the -94 kg category. Vikas Thakur is a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab. He won the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in -85 kg category. He has proved to be a young sensation in the Indian weightlifting. He would be definitely hoping to change his colour of medal from Silver to Gold at the Games.

3) Saikhom Mirabai Chanu

20th Commonwealth Games - Day 1: Weightlifting — Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu will be competing in the - 48 kg category at the Games. She won the Silver Medal in the -48 kg in 2014 Commonwealth Games. She recently won the Gold Medal in 2017 World Weightlifting Championship held at Anaheim, CA, USA. She also made a World Record at the World Championships after lifting a total weight of 194 kg (85 kg snatch and 109 kg clean & jerk). She was nominated for the Padma Shree in 2018 as she broke the world record in the -48 kg. Her hard work and dedication was observed by the Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh who awarded Chanu with a cheque of Rs.20 Lakh. Saikhom will be up to give another blistering performance in the Games and make the nation proud once again.

4) Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu

Khumukcham Mirabai Chanu will be competing in the -53 kg category at the Games. She won the Gold Medal in the -48 kg category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In the 2010 Commonwealth Games, she equalled the snatch record of 77 kg at the Games of Nwaokolo. Chanu will be up to win back to back Gold Medals in the Commonwealth Games.

5) Vandna Gupta

Vandna Gupta will be competing in the -63 kg category at the Games. She participated in 2014 Commonwealth Games but was just short of reaching the podium. She finished at 4th position. She hails from Lucknow. Vandana Gupta will be up to clear all the dark clouds which obstructed her to finish at the podium in the 2014 Games. She's one of the top contenders for a medal in the Games.

6) Punam Yadav

Punam Yadav will be competing in the -69 kg category at the Games. She won the bronze medal in the -63 kg category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She hails from Varanasi who also won a gold medal at Senior Commonwealth Championships in 2015. We would definitely love to see her changing the colour of medal from bronze to gold at the Games and make the tricolour flag flutter high.