Satheesha Rai misses gold by a whisker - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Satheesha Rai misses gold by a whisker

PTI | ByPress Trust of India, Hyderabad
Oct 27, 2003 07:28 PM IST

Satheesha Rai missed gold by a whisker in a body weight decision after he pulled out of the third round of the 77 kg men competition.

Injuries continue to haunt the Indians in the weightlifting arena, as Satheesha Rai missed gold by a whisker in a body weight decision after he pulled out of the third round of the 77 kg men competition held at the Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy indoor stadium here on Monday.

HT Image
HT Image

Alabi Dare of Nigeria and Rai were tied at a tally of 322.5 when Rai had to pull out as his knee injury aggravated and the African, whose body weighed 75.25 kg against 76 kg of the host, claimed gold while Ali Eshtiwi Mohamed of Libya claimed bronze with a total lift of 302 kg.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The Nigerian aggregated the total with 137.5 in snatch and 185 kg in clean and jerk while Rai's tally was a result of 145 in snatch and 177.5 in clean and jerk.

Sateesha Rai stood ahead in the bunch of five lifters in the snatch with 145 kg and was very fluent in lifting 172 kg in the first round of the clean and jerk. After a flawless effort of 177.5 kg in the second round, Rai coiled in pain and was taken away by attending medicos into the retiring rooms.

Though a weight revision of 185 was announced he did not make it as the coach Jaswinder Singh later said, "we did not wnat to risk him. He already had a knee injury and it would aggravate further. So we kept him out knowing fully well that we have to settle for a silver and the decision would swing in favour of the Nigerian on the body weight count."

Twenty two-year-old Rai, who is in bank service and stays at Bangalore, said, "he had severe pain in the second round and after the lift it had shot up. I could not take any futher chances."

Alabi Dare was not very impressive in the snatch event in terms of weight as his best lift was 137.5 kg, which was the first round effort of Rai, who improved it to 142.5 and 145 in the second and third rounds to lead the table.

Clean and jerk had seen tempers and stakes running high with the local crowd cheering Rai's every single effort. He easily lifted 172 kg and sprained his knee after a good lift of 177.5 kg.

Eshtiwi of Libiya lifted 302 kg, 135 in snatch and 167.5 in clean and jerk to take the third spot.

Tempers ran high and the jury had to intervene on a few occasions to bring order at the venue.

After the refrees gave a 2-1 verdict of no lift to a 140 kg effort of Eshtiwi in clean and jerk event, the jury over ruled the decision and pronounced as a good lift much to the cheer of Libyan camp.

Rai asked for 185 kg in the third attempt after the injury, while the Nigerian was on the podium and loaders had put on 185 kg instead of 180 kg which Dare has asked. While he was about to lift, he was told something and he threw the bar out of irritation. The jury said that there was a communication gap between the loaders and the officials and allowed the Nigerian for another round with 185 kg which he successfully lifted and was tied with Rai at 322.5 kg.

While Rai could not come to take the third round, the Nigerian failed to lift 187.5 kg.

Results: 77kg men: 1-Alabi Dare (Ngr) 322.5 kg(137.5, 185), 2-Satheesha Rai (Ind) 322.5kg (145, 177.5), 3-Eshtiwi S Ali(Lba) 302.5kg (135, 167.5).

Catch all the Latest IPL 2024 news and Live Cricket Score along with WPL Schedule and WPL Points Table related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On