Pokhara, January 10

Nepal Police Club’s Sangita Rai set new national record in the women’s 48kg weight category of the National Weightlifting Tournament under the NSC Championship today.

Rai lifted 66kg in clean and jerk to break the previous record held by Nita Thapa, who had lifted 65kg during the Radhika Memorial Cup held 12 years ago in Birgunj. Rai lifted a total weight of 118kg, including 52kg in snatch, and won gold medal.

Tribhuvan Army Club’s Manisha Ranabhat bagged silver medal with  a total lift of 114kg — 51kg in snatch and 63kg in clean jerk, while Karina Chaudhary of Jhapa was a distant third with a total lift of 86kg — 35kg in snatch and 51kg in clean and jerk.

Similarly, Sanju Chaudhary of Banke lifted 63kg in snatch to better her own national record in the 53kg weight category. Chaudhary had lifted 61kg during the Asian Club and Asian Cup in South Korea last year. Chaudhary set two other records when she lifted 82kg in clean and jerk for a total weight of 145kg. She had lifted a total weight of 140kg in South Korea and 81kg in clean and jerk during the Sunil Lal Joshi Memorial Weightlifting Championship in September last year.

NPC’s Devi Kumar Chaudhary lifted 62kg in snatch and 75kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 137kg and finished second, while Kajal Yadav of Saptari came third with a total lift of 95kg — 45kg in snatch and 50kg in clean and jerk. In the 58kg event, TAC’s Kamala Shrestha lifted 86kg in clean and jerk to set new national mark. Shrestha had lifted 85kg during the Asian Youth and Junior Championship hosted by Nepal last year. Shrestha lifted 65kg in snatch for a total weight of 151kg on her way to winning the gold medal.

In men’s 52kg, NPC’s Ganesh Ranabhat won gold medal with a total lift of 149kg — 67kg in snatch and 82kg in clean and jerk. Lal Babu Paswan of Saptari won silver medal with a total lift of 146kg — 65kg in snatch and 81kg in clean and jerk, while Bachhu Lal Chaudhary of Siraha claimed bronze with 126kg — 60kg in snatch and 66kg in clean and jerk.

In 56kg, TAC’s Tularam Mahato claimed gold medal after he lifted 83kg in snatch and 96kg in clean and jerk for a total weight of 179kg. Saptari’s Manoj Yadav lifted 100kg in clean and jerk but he was able to lift just 76kg in snatch for a total lift of 176kg to finish second. Ram Kumar Yadav of Saptari won bronze after lifting a total weight of 160kg — 70kg in snatch and 90kg in clean and jerk.