Weightlifter Punam, Shooter Bhaker win Gold at CWG; Heena takes Silver

Indian weightlifters continued to dominate the competition at the 21st Commonwealth Games as Punam Yadav won gold in the women’s 69 kilogram category here on Sunday.

Yadav lifted a total of 222 kg which included 100 kg in snatch and 122 kig in clean and jerk.

This the fifth gold medal for India at this year’s CWG. Mirabai Chanu, Sanjita Chanu, Sathish Sivalingam and Venkat Rahul Ragala had earlier emerged champions in their respective categories.

Yadav started slowly, lifting 95 kg in her opening attempt. However, Vaivai registered 97 kg to take the lead after the completion of the opening attempts.

Yadav lifted 98 kg in her second attempt but Vaivai maintained the lead with 100 kg.

The Indian equalled that in her third and last attempt and Vaivai’s failure to lift 103 meant both lifters ended the snatch phase at the joint top spot.

Yadav did not look convincing at the start of the clean and jerk phase. She struggled to lift 118 kg in her first attempt which gave her the lead. But failing at 122 kg in her second attempt put her in a spot of bother.

Meantime India’s Manu Bhaker and Heena Sidhu took gold and silver respectively in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol event at the 21st Commonwealth Games (CWG) here on Sunday.

Bhaker produced a spectacular performance, setting a new CWG record with a total of 240.9 points in the final round.

Heena registered 234 to make it 1-2 for India at the top of the podium. (IANS)