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Asian Games

Indian Weightlifters in doubt ahead of the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games

Indian Weightlifters in doubt ahead of the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games
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By

Sounak Mullick

Published: 30 May 2018 12:23 PM GMT
Commonwealth Games Gold medallist S.Sathish Kumar and R.V Rahul are doubtful of making an appearance in the selection trials for the upcoming Asian Games due to injury concerns. If they fail to make a cut to the mega event, the Indian contingent will face a huge jolt considering the fact that they both come from good performances at the Commonwealth Games. Reportedly, both of the concerned weightlifters have been omitted from the Government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) owing to their respective injuries. As per the reports The Hindu, Rahul is ailing with a thigh injury while Satish is down with a back problem. Rahul is part of the camp and is expected to start lifting next week, and then a final call will be taken on his participation in the selection trials. On the other hand, Sathish is not a part of the ongoing three-week National camp in Shilaroo, Himachal Pradesh. Regarding the conditions of the weightlifters, National coach Vijaya Sharma said, “Rahul is part of the National camp. When he starts lifting weights next week, we will know whether he will be ready for the trials. However, Sathish is not in the camp and I am not sure how far he has recovered.” “Because of the introduction of the qualification criterion, which requires a lifter to return top-six performances in the last Asian Games, these injured lifters cannot get the time they would have normally got,” added Vijay. If none of them recovers in time for the trials, the Indian Weightlifting Federation has to look for alternative options. As per the coach, it will easily to find a replacement for Sathish, but it will be difficult to substitute Rahul. In the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Sathish Kumar won the Gold in the Men’s 77 kg category with a total lift of 317 kg, while Rahul scripted a podium finish in the Men’s 87 kg category with an accumulation of 338 kg from his respective lifts. In the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, India’s Ravi Kumar finished 10th in the 77 kg category while Vikas Thakur secured the seventh spot in the 85 kg category. Sathish and Rahul will get a shot at producing a better display if they recover in time for the mega event. Vijaya Sharma was pretty confident about the Women weightlifters and is expecting Gold medals in their categories. All attention will be on World Champion Mirabai Chanu who will be eyeing no less than a podium finish in the Asian Games. The 18the edition of the Asian Games will get underway in Jakarta, on 18th August and will conclude on September 2.
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