New Delhi: India’s Komal Kohar won a bronze medal in the women’s 48kg category at the Asian Weightlifting Championships on Monday, lifting a total of 177kg to earn a podium finish for the host nation.
Kohar lifted 78kg in the snatch and followed it up with a 99kg effort in the clean and jerk in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the latter earning her an additional bronze medal in that discipline, according to reports.
The young Indian stepped up in the absence of Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu, who was not part of this non-Olympic class event.
Chinese Taipei dominated the top two positions, with Huang Yi Chen winning gold after lifting a combined 193kg (81kg snatch + 112kg clean and jerk).
Compatriot Fang Wan-Ling claimed silver with a total of 192kg (84kg snatch + 108kg clean and jerk).
The competition also saw the absence of major contenders China, North Korea, and Thailand, though the event remained closely contested throughout.
As the host nation, India will take great encouragement from Kohar’s performance. Filling the shoes of an Olympic silver medalist was never going to be easy, but the young weightlifter rose to the occasion and delivered a result that signals real promise for the future.
