Armyman Kamal breaks snatch national record

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU:Kamal Bahadur Adhikari of Tribhuvan Army Club broke the national record in snatch during the selection tournament for the World Championship today.

The 2006 South Asian Games gold medallist, Kamal lifted 115kg to better his own mark of 114kg. He lifted 155kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 270kg in the 69kg weight category. He had set the record during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The performance also made him the top lifter of the country and earned him a berth for the World Championship slated for November 5-12 in Paris, which is also the world qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

“I had a target of breaking records in all three categories. But I pulled groin injury during practice and had to receive treatment for more than five minutes before the match,” said the Tribhuvan Army Club player.

“I am excited about the World Championship as I have never participated in such huge stage. If I get the chance to take part in the Championship, it will be a dream come true for me,” he added. “The tournament is not only important for me, but also for the sport and the country as well as the Championship also serves as the qualifiers for the London Olympics.”

Nepal have previously participated in two World Championships. Surendra Hamal represented the country in the 1983 edition in Moscow (the then Soviet Union), while Rakesh Shrestha and Jhanta Katuwal participated in the 2009 edition of the Championships in Goyang (South Korea).

However, Nepal’s participation in the World Championship is under dark clouds because of the financial constraint. Chief coach Partha Sarathi Sen Gupta, who is also the General Secretary of Nepal Weightlifting Association, said they were trying to manage budget to participate in the Championship.

“As it will be very costly to participate in the Championship, we are planning to request the National Sports Council for the budget,” said Gupta. “We will not leave any stone unturned in our efforts to send the player to the World Championship,” he added. “If we fail to send Kamal to the World Championship, we will send him to other international tournament based on this selection,” he added.

Only three players participated in the qualifying, other two being Bikash Thapa in 62kg and Gopal Shrestha in above-105kg sections. Bikash lifted 100kg in snatch and 107 in clean and jerk for a total of 207kg, while Gopal managed 240kg including 105 in snatch and 135 in clean and jerk.