Malaysia wins second weightlifting gold
Malaysian weightlifters continued to shine in the 2010 Commonwealth Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex in New Delhi.
Aricco Jumitih gave the Southeast Asian country its second gold medal of the meet by ruling the men's 62-kilogram division on Tuesday. The 20-year-old beat compatriot Naharudin Mayudin to duplicate Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim's victory in the men's 56kg class
on Monday.
It was a surprise win for Jumitih, who is competing in his very first Commonwealth Games.
"I did not expect this today. I have never even managed a total of more than 273kg previously. I guess it’s also my luck that I claimed the gold. Naharudin also did well," said the youngster, who only joined the national senior squad two years ago.
Jumitih said he will use the prize money that he will receive from the National Sports Council to help his family.
“My mother still works for a living, taking up odd jobs too. Maybe, I will give her the money to help her get a better house. I also want to keep a bit to go into small business with my brother,” he said.
Jumitih struggled early in the competition, managing only to lift 120kg to finish fourth in the snatch. But the Malaysian lifted 156kg in the clean and jerk for a 276kg total. It was enough to catch snatch leader Mayudin, who finished with a 275kg final
tally.
Sri Lanka's Anton Kurukulaasooriyage took the bronze medal with a 272kg total.
Despite settling for the silver medal, Mayudin was happy with his compatriot's performance. "Our team is fully charged. We are expecting a few more in the coming days," he said.
Favourite Dimitris Minasidis of Cyprus struggled due to a hip injury, placing only ninth with a 252kg total. It was another disappointing day for hosts India as Rustam Sarang and Omkar Otari failed to win any medals.
In the day's first event, Marilou Dozois-Prevost of Canada ruled the women's 53kg category.
The psychology student made a total lift of 182kg to improve on her silver-medal finish in the 48kg class four years ago in Melbourne.
Dozois-Prevost hauled 82kg in the snatch to take the lead. She made a successful attempt at 100kg in the clean and jerk after US-based Nigerian Onyeka Azike took a brief lead. Azike failed at 102kg, giving Dozois-Prevost the gold medal. Azike settled for
the silver medal with a 180kg total. Malaysian Raihan Yusoff claimed the bronze medal with a 175kg final tally.
India's medal hopes were dashed when top medal favourite Swati Singh was slowed down by knee injury late in the competition.
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