Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships: Ajith bags gold in men's 71kg; Nirupama wins silver in women's 63kg

Despite a knee issue, National Games gold medallist N. Ajith clinched the men's 71kg gold medal in the Commonwealth weightlifting championships at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Naranpura, here on Wednesday. Besides Ajith, Nirupama Devi got India a silver behind double Olympics medallist Maude Charron of Canada in the women's 63kg weight class. Ajith aggregated 317kg to pip Nigerian Joseph Edidong Umoafia by a slim margin of just 1kg and booked a spot in next year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Ajith successfully began with 145kg before faltering in his following two snatch attempts of 148kg and 150kg. The Indian, who had some nervous moments as Umoafia lifted 146kg in his second effort, gained control with his opening clean and jerk mark of 172kg. The Nigerian began the second segment with a lift of 170kg to close the gap, but could not make the most of his last two clean and jerk attempts. "I did 327kg in the trials and wanted to replicate it here, but my right knee has been troubling me. I will go through rehab to get ready for the World championships next month," said Ajith, who set new Commonwealth clean and jerk and total records. Nirupama gave a blemish free performance in the second segment of the competition to take the silver with 217kg. However, star lifter Maude showed her class as she made steady progress in snatch to log 103kg and then recorded 127kg in clean and jerk to win the gold with 230kg. The Canadian also scripted Commonwealth records in clean and jerk and total. Hemanta Doimari (264kg) and Abhinob Gogoi (278kg) secured the men's 71kg junior and youth titles respectively. Bidusmita Bhoi (204kg) claimed the junior women's 63kg gold. RESULTS Men's 71kg: 1. N. Ajith snatch 145kg, clean and jerk 172kg, total 317kg, 2. Joseph Edidong Umoafia (Ngr) 146kg, 170kg, 316kg, 3. Ezekiel Moses (Nru) 135kg, 155kg, 290kg. Women's 63kg: 1. Maude Charron (Can) 103kg, 127kg, 230kg, 2. Nirupama Devi 91kg, 126kg, 217kg, 3. Ruth Impoleayo Ayodele (Ngr) 95kg, 117kg, 212kg. Published on Aug 27, 2025 Latest on SportstarCommonwealth Weightlifting Championships: Ajith bags gold in men's 71kg; Nirupama wins silver in women's 63kgY. B. SarangiHow Sreeshankar qualified for Worlds in remarkable comeback from injury Nihit SachdevaHockey Asia Cup 2025: Chinese Taipei, Bangladesh arrive to complete eight-team lineup PTIREAD MORE STORIES