Indian women lifters seals Commonwealth Powerlifting team C’ship

Dec 10: Indian powerlifters clinch women’s team championship and become runners-up in the men’s team event

Indian women powerlifters made their country proud by clinching the team’s title pushing behind the hosts New Zealand to second place in the second edition of Commonwealth powerlifting championship concluded on Sunday at Christchurch in New Zealand.

Indian women contingent bagged 11 gold, five silver and three bronze medals, while the men's team was equally good as they pocketed 11 gold, six silver and three bronze at the Championship.

On top of that the Indian women lifters had an icing on the cake as India's Mala Sukhwal claimed the strong woman championship title of the event while her compatriot Janis Joseph won the runners up title.

In the men's team category Indian team faced a reversal act as hosts New Zealand won the championship while India had to content with the runners-up title. Australia got third position, according to a press realease.

All the credit of India’s fine show goes to Dronacharya awardee and chief coach of Indian contingent team Bhupinder Dhawan. He did all the effort in notching up top position and moreover Dhawan brought out best from each women powerlifter to succeed in his endeavour.

Talking to NewstrackIndia correspondent before leaving to New Zealand Chief coach Bhupinder Dhawan exuded confidence over his wards and was confident of putting up great show in the event.

India has also got the proud privilege of hosting the next edition of this prestigious biennial event, as the championship has been officially allotted to India that is to be held in 2009.

The Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation handed over an official letter to the general secretary of the Indian Powerlifting Federation, Subrata Dutta during the closing ceremony.