Late in the night, after some stellar performances from her colleagues, Bindyarani Devi won India’s fourth medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games by clinching silver in the women’s 55kg weightlifting final in Birmingham on Saturday.
Nigeria’s Adijat Adenike Olarinoye claimed gold with a total lift of 203kgs (92kgs snatch and 111kgs clean and jerk) ahead of Bindyarani’s 202kgs lift (86kgs snatch and 116kgs clean and jerk - a games record). England’s Fraer Morrow took bronze with a total lift of 198kgs (89kgs snatch and 109kgs clean and jerk).
Bindyarani Devi factfile
Event: 55kg
Date of Birth: 27/01/1999Hometown: Imphal, Manipur
Training Base: NIS Patiala Coach: Vijay Sharma
Bindyarani Devi started Weightlifting in the year 2013 in her hometown Imphal. After 3 years of constant hard work and support from her family, she was selected for training at NCOE Imphal. She trained at NCOE Imphal from 2016 to 2018. She was on boarded in the Indian National camp in Patiala in the year 2019.
Achievements:
● 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist
● 2021 Commonwealth Senior Championship Silver Medalist
● 2019 Commonwealth Senior Championship Gold Medalist
● 2016 Commonwealth Junior Championship Silver Medalist
— SAI Media Team
The trio went into the final as favourites to finish on the podium and their path task became simpler after Wales’ Catrin Jones failed to put up a single lift in snatch.
Olarinoye lifted a Games record 92kgs in snatch to take a crucial six kilo lead into the clean and jerk ahead of Morrow (89kgs) and Bindyarani (86kgs).
Morrow lifted 109kgs in clean and jerk at the second time of asking while Bindyarani easily lifted 110kgs. Olarinoye fouled in her first attempt of 110kgs but nailed the lift in her second. A mix-up from her coaches meant that the Nigerian had to come back out immediately to lift 111kgs instead of a higher weight. She was successful with her attempt but it gave Morrow and Bindyarani a chance to steal gold.
Morrow raised her third attempt to 115kgs but was unsuccessful. After failing to lift 114kgs with her second attempt, Bindyarani successfully lifted a Games clean and jerk record 116kgs lift to pip Morrow to silver with a thrilling final attempt.
Bindyarani’s silver capped off a successful day for Indian weightlifters with Mirabai Chanu claiming gold in the 49kg event with Sanket Sargar and Gururaj Poojary winning silver and bronze in the 55kg and 61kg events respectively.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!