Top five athletes who are future of Indian weightlifting

These youngsters can take over from the likes of Mirabai Chanu in the future.

Weightlifting has never been one of the most followed sports in India. It was at the 2000 Olympics that Karnam Malleswari brought Indian weightlifting into the limelight with her bronze medal win.

After 21 years, the sport has again come into the spotlight. This was courtesy Mirabai Chanu. She became the first Indian woman to win a silver in weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics. She also holds the current world record in the clean and jerk category.

But, it is not just Mirabai Chanu bringing so many laurels to the nation in weightlifting. There are many young weightlifters out there who are ready to make the country proud. So, here's a look at some of these names in Indian weightlifting, from whom we can expect medals in the future on the big stage.

5. Jhilli Dalabehera

This young Odisha girl could definitely be a star for India in the coming years. Jhilli competes in the 45kg and 48kg categories and has already got some major achievements to her credit.

Dalabehera won herself a silver medal at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in 2019. Infact, she bettered her previously held record at Tashkent in 2021. She won a gold medal in that tournament.

The 22-year-old's personal best lifts include a total of 165kgs (71kgs in snatch and 94kgs in clean and jerk). Additionally, Dalabehera was a gold medalist at the 2019 South Asian Championships held in Kathmandu. She is also the winner of the IWF Junior Championships in the 48kg category.

4. Achinta Sheuli

West Bengal’s Achinta Sheuli is another top prospect in Indian weightlifting. The 20-year-old has already broken six national records in the 73kg category.

One of Sheuli’s most memorable performances came at the Junior Weightlifting Championships. He added a silver to his name in that competition. The then 19-year-old lifted a total of 313kgs (141kgs in snatch, 172kgs in clean and jerk) to finish in second position.

He's poised and relentless, with a never give up spirit that sets him apart from the rest. Achinta Sheuli will surely go on to break many more international records in due time.

3. Sneha Soren

Youngster Sneha Soren has already shown her capability by striking gold at the Commonwealth Youth Championships. Snehalifted 60 kgs in the snatch and 78 kgs in the clean and jerk, finishing with a total point of 138 kgs in the 48kg category. The 20-year-old has already won multiple laurels for her state and country.

Despite losing her parents and suffering from financial adversity, the girl from Mayurbhanj has been resolute. Trained by Paresh Mahanta, she won bronze and gold medals at the Asian Commonwealth Games and South Asian Games in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Moreover, Soren also stood fifth at the Youth Olympics held in Argentina in 2017.

Her fearless performances got her nominated for the Eklavya Award. It will be really interesting to see her grow and how she fares at senior competitions.

2. Ragala Venkat Rahul

24-year-old Ragala Venkata Rahul hails from Stuartpuram in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. He began his initial training at the Telengana State Sports School. Rahul had his first taste of success at the 2013 Asian Youth Games, when he won the gold. The following year he added a silver to his name at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.

But, his most memorable success came at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Rahul won gold in the 85kg category by lifting a combined total of 338kgs (151kgs in snatch and 187kg in clean and jerk).

1. Jeremy Lalrinnunga

Finally, we come down to one of the youngest on this list, Jeremy. The 19-year-old became an overnight sensation when he won gold at the 2018 Youth Olympics. He lifted a total of 274kgs (124kgs in snatch and 150kgs in clean and jerk) to clinch top honours. It was also India's first gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games. From then on, he secured more and more feats.

He won a silver medal at the World Youth Championships in 2016 and a bronze at the 2018 Asian Championships. His biggest achievement came when he won gold at the Commonwealth Championships 2021.

Jeremy is definitely going to be big in a few years with his credentials. The Asian Games in 2022 might just be the platform from where he makes that big stage leap. We just have to wait and watch.

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