What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: Sanket Mahadev Sargar gave millions of Indians a reason to cheer when he clinched a silver medal – India’s first medal at Commonwealth Games 2022 – in the Men’s 55kg category in Weightlifting on Saturday.
Sanket lifted a total of 248kg (113 in snatch + 135 in clean and jerk) but was eclipsed by Malaysia’s Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq – who won the gold medal – as he completed a lift of 142kg in the clean and jerk segment to take his total to 249kg. In the final tally, Sanket trailed by just one kg and settled for a silver. The 21-year-old tried to lift 143 kg in the clean and jerk round but got injured in the process.
“I would like to dedicate my medal to India’s freedom fighters. I was nearly in tears because I couldn’t win the gold medal. Five years of hard work helped me win this medal but there is a hint of disappointment in missing out on the gold. Everyone back home in Sangli is happy,” he said.
“After the injury in my second attempt, my coach asked me not to go for the third attempt, but I wanted to go for it,” he added.
𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 🇮🇳
Courtesy of the mighty Sanket Sargar 🏋🏻🥈
📸: IG/sargarsanket#IndiaAtB2022 | #B2022 | @WeAreTeamIndia pic.twitter.com/Tx24DUdwr5
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) July 30, 2022
Born on October 16, 2000, Sanket hails from Maharashtra’s Sangli and his father runs a tea and paan shop. Till a year ago, Sanket used to help his father in the shop.
The youngster made headlines when he smashed the national record in the clean and jerk segment with his attempt of 138kg at the Khelo India University Games in 2020.
He once again exhibited his mettle in February last year by lifting a total of 256kg (113kg in snatch + 143kg in clean and jerk) at the Singapore Weightlifting International. Later that year, Sanket fetched the gold medal at Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in 2021 and established a new national record in the snatch with a 113kg attempt in Tashkent.
His silver medal at the CWG 2022 has further enhanced his stature. His father now wants him to aim for an Olympic medal.
“I wanted to pursue weightlifting myself but due to financial problems, my dream remained incomplete. Today all my struggles have paid off. All eyes are on the Paris Olympics now,” a proud father said after his splendid performance.
