India bagged a sixth gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 as para-powerlifter Sudhir finished on top in the men's heavyweight category final. Sudhir, an Asian Para Games bronze medallist in 2018, lifted 208kg in his first attempt before increasing it to 212kg in his second effort to gather 134.5 points and break the Games record. In his third lift, Sudhir attempted to lift 217kg, a personal best, but was not successful, but it did not matter.
Born into a farmer's family in Sonipat, Haryana, due to a high fever, he contracted polio at the age of four. But He didn't let it get in the way of his determination. He had a lifelong interest in sports, which led to his interest in weight lifting. Sudhir began his sporting career in 2013 and clinched gold in his first nationals in 2016. Sudhir made his international debut in 2018 at the Asian Para Games 2018 and bagged the bronze medal.
Sudhir is currently working as a Senior Coach (Weightlifting) for the Government of Haryana. He was also named "Strong Man of India" at the 17th Senior and 12th Junior National Para Powerlifting Championships in 2018.
Sudhir ended the day on a high note for India's para powerlifters, who had a rather disappointing show. Earlier in the day, Manpreet Kaur and Sakina Khatun failed to secure a podium finish in the women's lightweight division. Manpreet started with a successful lift of 87kg, scoring 88.6 points in her first attempt and in the second attempt, lifted 88kg, securing scoring 89.6 points.
In the last attempt however, she failed to lift 90kg and eventually finish 4th. Sakina failed to lift 90kg in her first attempt but recovered with a lift of 90kg in her second attempt, scoring 87.5 points, finishing a place below Manpreet at fifth. In the men's lightweight final, Paramjeet Singh Kumar ended at the bottom of the table after he was unsuccessful in all three of his attempt to lift 165kg.
{{/usCountry}}In the last attempt however, she failed to lift 90kg and eventually finish 4th. Sakina failed to lift 90kg in her first attempt but recovered with a lift of 90kg in her second attempt, scoring 87.5 points, finishing a place below Manpreet at fifth. In the men's lightweight final, Paramjeet Singh Kumar ended at the bottom of the table after he was unsuccessful in all three of his attempt to lift 165kg.
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