CWG 2018: Vikas Thakur Bags Bronze Medal in Weightlifting

Weightlifter Vikas Thakur wins a bronze medal in men’s 94 kg category.

Papua New Guinea’s men’s 94 kg weightlifting gold medalist Steven Kari, center, with Canada’s Silver medalist Boady Santavy, left, and India’s bronze medalist Vikas Thakur on the podium.

(Photo: AP)

India’s Vikas Thakur won a bronze medal in the 94 kg category weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast on Sunday. Thakur, who finished second in the snatch round with 159 kg, eventually had to settle for the third spot after the clean and jerk round.

I was competing after just 10 months of regular training because I had to get my shoulder operated due to an injury. I hope to improve by at least 10 kilograms in the next months. I am confident of a better medal at the Asian Games.

Vikas Thakur

With a lift of 192 kg in the clean and jerk round, Thakur had put himself in a good position to win the silver medal, but PNG’s Steven Kari had other ideas.

Kari was 14 kg behind Canada’s Boady Santavy at the end of the snatch round. The Canadian finished first in the snatch round. However, in two attempts Kari went past Santavy’s total lift of 369 kg with lifts of 202 kg and 216 kg in the clean and jerk round.

Santavy lifted 196 kg and 201 kg in his first two attempts in the clean and jerk round, before failing to lift 206 kg in his third attempt. Santavy had to settle for a silver medal.

India have won 6 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals in CWG 2018 so far.

(With inputs from PTI)