Gururaja takes issues up a degree and wins a bronze
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Considered one of Gururaja Poojary’s final performances within the 56kg class got here on the Commonwealth Video games in Gold Coast, the place he gained the silver. Since then, he has moved up a weight class, competing within the 61kg which is among the weight lessons for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On Saturday returning to the Commonwealth Video games, Gururaja earned his greatest worldwide success in his new class, successful bronze within the males’s 61kg in Birmingham with a complete elevate of 269kg. The gold medallist, Aznil Bidin of Malaysia (285kg), was the reigning 2018 CWG champion within the 62kg in Gold Coast, and Papua New Guinea's Morea Baru (273kg), the silver winner, competed within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the identical class.
“I’m actually happy to have gained a medal right here after I elevated my weight class. I imagine this is among the hardest classes being an Olympic class,” mentioned Gururaja, his fixed smile whereas holding the bronze reflecting his mind-set.
The 29-year-old began strong and was positioned fourth after the snatch, his second try of 118kg bettering his opening elevate of 115kg. Gururaja wanted a giant remaining effort in clear and jerk for the bronze to edge out Canada's Simard Youri, which he did with a 151kg profitable elevate.
Gururaja had gained silver within the Commonwealth Championships in the identical class final yr, however felt the heightened sense of competitors at this CWG. “On the Commonwealth Championships, the PNG weightlifter wasn’t there. They usually have competed within the Olympics within the class. So, I’m pleased that I may get a bronze competing with them,” he mentioned.
After switching his weight class, Gururaja immersed himself into coaching. He received married in Could final yr, but instantly checked again into the NIS Patiala with the CWG because the goal. “Within the final one yr, I haven’t been residence. Even after my marriage, I didn't waste time leaving residence and becoming a member of the camp. I'm pleased that I'll return residence with a medal, in any other case all these sacrifices would have meant nothing,” he mentioned.
The Indian weightlifting contingent has been in Birmingham for a month now, and Gururaja developed fever 10 days earlier than his occasion. “It affected my coaching a bit. I additionally had a little bit of discomfort in my knee and wrist,” he mentioned.
Gururaja isn’t too positive about his plans forward, however the Paris Video games two years later are behind his thoughts having made a mark on this weight class. “If I get the prospect to arrange effectively, I need to prepare effectively and be prepared for the Olympics,” he mentioned.
For now, although, a house go to is asking. “Now I simply need to relaxation a bit at residence.”
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