Panaji (Goa) [India], October 26 : The Weightlifting competition began at the 37th National Games in Goa on Wednesday. Maharashtrian weightlifter Dipali Ghursale secured the gold medal, setting the National record for the Women's 45kg snatch and total weight division in the process. Ghursale set the record by lifting 75kg in the snatch, and 90kg in the clean and jerk round respectively, thereby setting a total weight record of 165kg on her way to the gold medal.
West Bengal's Chandrika Tarafdar secured the Silver medal by registering a score of 67kg in snatch, and a National record 95kg in clean and jerk, thereby setting a final score of 162kg. Chandrika holds the distinction of being the first Indian to secure a medal at the World Youth Weightlifting Championship, after winning the Bronze Medal in Slovakia with a total score of 129kg in September 2019.
Telangana's T. Priya Priyadarshani laid claim to the Bronze Medal with a snatch score of 69kg and a clean and jerk score of 92kg, thereby setting a final total of 161kg.
After winning the Gold Medal at the National Games, Dipali has now set her sights on winning the Gold Medal for India at the International stage. Speaking at the medal ceremony, she said, "Mira didi (Mirabai Chanu) is my role model and I want to win a Gold medal at the International stage just like her."
This was Dipali's first appearance at the National Games, where she secured top honours in her maiden appearance. She went on to add, "This was my first time competing at the National Games, and I won the Gold medal at my first attempt itself, so I'm extremely happy with my performance here."
The young weightlifter hails from the Sangli district in Maharashtra. Ghursule went on to add that her family has been a constant source of support ever since she began weightlifting in the 8th grade. She said, "My family has always supported me when it comes to sports. Even when I was in school, our coach gave us the best training, and that is the reason why I have been able to achieve success today."
Dipali has been competing in the Junior Weightlifting circuit for the last 13 years, and she has secured 3 Gold Medals in the process. She credits her success so far to her hard work, balance and the example set by her role model Mirabai Chanu. Asked about how she motivates herself to compete at her best, Ghursale said, "I compete with myself, and I try to make small improvements every day. I never think negatively, and maybe this is the reason why I have been able to perform well so far."
"Now I want to win a Gold medal for India at the International level just like Mira didi," she concluded.
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