Gururaja Poojary of India displayed steely nerves and strength as he did enough to secure India’s second medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Gururaja won bronze in men’s 61kg weightlifting with a total lift of 269 kgs, one kg more than Canada’s Youri Simard.
The little Indian lifted 118kg in snatch and 151kg in clean and jerk to earn a medal for himself and his country. Gururaja and Canada’s Simard faced up in clean and jerk in an all-out bid to secure the bronze medal spot. Simard hoisted 149kg on his final try to overtake the Indian, but Gururaja gave it his best to lift 151 and win the gold medal.
Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamad of Malaysia won the gold medal with a 285kg (127+158) lift, a Games record. With a total lift of 273kg (121+152), Morea Baru of Papua New Guinea won silver.
It was India’s second medal at the Games, following Sanket Sagar’s silver in the men’s 55kg event.
Gururaja after winning the Bronze
“I’m very happy. I think my best performance came out today. I moved up categories so it was difficult. I needed to lift 151kg with my last attempt to win the medal and had to give it my all. I’m happy I succeeded. I got married last year but have been training for Commonwealth Games since then and have had to be away from my wife a lot. I want to dedicate this medal to my wife,” – Gururaja.