New Delhi: India’s Gyaneshwari Yadav produced a memorable performance in the women’s 53kg weightlifting competition, claiming the silver medal after an intense battle with Nigeria’s Onome Didih for the top spot.
The Indian lifter kept pushing until her final attempt, but Didih’s record-breaking lifts helped her secure the gold medal.
Gyaneshwari began the clean and jerk round with a successful 103kg lift while Didih responded confidently with 105kg. The Nigerian’s effort pushed the combined total to a new Commonwealth Games record and gave her an early advantage in the gold medal race.
The contest quickly turned into a two-way fight between the two lifters. Gyaneshwari raised the pressure with a successful 107kg attempt, setting a new Games record in the clean and jerk category.
Gyaneshwari finished with a total lift of 199kg, combining an 88kg snatch and a 111kg clean and jerk. However, Nigeria’s Onome Omolola Didih delivered a record-breaking display, lifting 206kg overall with 93kg in the snatch and 113kg in the clean and jerk to claim the gold medal.
The final result may show a gap between the two lifters but the competition was much closer on the platform. Gyaneshwari and Didih pushed each other throughout the event with almost every successful attempt bringing a new Commonwealth Games record.
Gyaneshwari keeps India in fight
Gyaneshwari was impressive in the snatch round, successfully completing all three attempts with confidence. Her clean lifts kept her within touching distance of Didih as the battle moved into the decisive clean and jerk phase.
The real drama unfolded during the second half of the competition. Gyaneshwari raised the excitement by lifting 107kg in the clean and jerk, setting a new Commonwealth Games record. But Didih immediately responded with a successful 110kg attempt to take the record back.
The Indian lifter was not done yet. Backed by strong support from the crowd, Gyaneshwari lifted 111kg in her final attempt to once again move ahead and rewrite the record books.
Didih delivers final blow
The Nigerian had the last chance to decide the contest and showed why she was the favourite for gold. Didih confidently lifted 113kg, breaking the record once again and sealing the top spot on the podium.
Gyaneshwari’s silver medal marked another achievement for India’s weightlifting contingent. It was India’s fourth weightlifting medal at the Commonwealth Games and the country’s fifth medal overall at the event.