India delivered an exceptional performance at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships, held in Doha, Qatar, from December 19 to December 25, 2024. Payal wins 5 medals
Despite not winning any gold medals in the junior category, the Indian contingent showcased remarkable talent and resilience, securing a total of 33 medals across both categories.
India stood fourth in the youth category with 7 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals, while finishing 10th in the junior category with 8 silver and 4 bronze medals.
Youth Category
In the youth category, Indian lifters shone brightly, securing seven gold medals. Among the men, Babulal Hembromearned bronze in the 49kg category with a total lift of 197 kg.
Siraj Pardeshi excelled in the 81kg category, lifting 139 kg in snatch and 171 kg in clean and jerk, totaling 310 kg to win gold in total weight and two silvers in snatch and clean and jerk. Parv Chaudhary contributed with bronze in the 96kg category, lifting 168 kg in clean and jerk and achieving a total of 303 kg.
The women’s contingent displayed equally impressive performances. Jyoshna Sabar dominated the 40kg category, winning three gold medals with lifts of 60 kg in snatch, 75 kg in clean and jerk, and 135 kg in total.
Payal emerged as a key athlete, earning gold in snatch, bronze in clean and jerk, and gold in total in the 45kg category, lifting 70 kg, 85 kg, and 155 kg, respectively.
Preetishmita Bhoi added a silver in clean and jerk with a lift of 85 kg in the same category. Koyal Bar won bronze in snatch, gold in clean and jerk, and silver in total in the 55kg category, with lifts of 79 kg, 103 kg, and 182 kg.
Junior Category
Though India did not win any gold in the junior category, the athletes performed commendably, earning 8 silver and 4 bronze medals against tough competition.
In the men’s events, Shankar Lapung won bronze in the 61kg category with a total lift of 262 kg. Valluri Ajay Babu lifted 147 kg in snatch in the 81kg category to secure a silver medal.
In the women’s events, Payal continued her impressive run, earning two bronze medals in the 45kg junior category by lifting 85 kg in clean and jerk and achieving a total of 155 kg.
Lambam Nilam Devi delivered a stellar performance in the 55kg category, winning three silver medals with lifts of 86 kg in snatch, 104 kg in clean and jerk, and 190 kg in total.
Sanjana earned two silver medals in the 76kg category, lifting 120 kg in clean and jerk and achieving a total of 210 kg. Maibam Martina Devi stood out in the +87kg category, securing bronze in snatch with a lift of 96 kg and two silvers in clean and jerk (129 kg) and total (225 kg).
Payal’s unique achievement of winning medals in both the youth and junior categories highlights the depth of talent in Indian weightlifting.
Her contribution underscores the significant progress made by Indian lifters in recent years.
With a combined tally of 33 medals across the youth and junior categories, the championships were a major milestone for India, reaffirming its potential to achieve greater heights in the international weightlifting arena.
