It is third gold in a row for Indian weightlifters as Sathish Sivalingam won gold medal in men’s 77-kg category in Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. The 25-year-old lifted a combined 317 kg in total (144 kg in snatch and 173 kg in clean and jerk) to add another gold in India’s medal tally at GC 2018. After Sathish Sivalingam’s gold, India consolidates its third-place position at the Commonwealth Games 2018 medal standings. They have won a total of five medals including 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Australia and England take first and second place in the CWG 2018 medal table. Complete Commonwealth Games 2018 Medal Table: Countrywise Tally of GC 2018 Medal Winners.

Coming into the Gold Coast Games, Indian weightlifters faced a hurdle in form of no physio, less number of coaches to seek guidance during the tournament. However, instead of pondering over lack of ideal scenarios, the members of weightlifting team showed us how to turn the tide in your favour. On Day 3 action of Commonwealth Games 2018k, last edition’s gold medallist Sathish Sivalingam put aside all difficulties, all excuses to secure another gold for the country. He becomes the first-ever male Indian weightlifter to win gold medal in two different editions of the Commonwealth Games – Gold Coast 2018 and Glasgow 2014. India Medal Tally in Commonwealth Games 2018: Indian Medal Winners and Country's Standings in GC 2018.

The success was not an easy one for Sathish Sivalingam who faced stiff challenge from England's Jack Oliver, who won silver medal. Born in 1992, Sathish hailing from Vellore in Tamil Nadu is described a ‘Legend’ in Commonwealth Games. The champion weightlifter has cited his ex-serviceman father also a national-level weightlifter to introduce him to the sport. "My father initiated me to weightlifting and I started at a village gym when I was just 15 years old. To top that, Vellore (India) has over the years produced numerous national-level weightlifters, who have played their part in keeping me hooked to this sport," mentions GC 2018 website.

Earlier, Manipuri champion weightlifters Mirabai Chanu and Sanjita Chanu have won two gold in women’s 48kg and 53 kg category respectively. Meanwhile, P Gururaja and Deepak Lather have bagged silver and bronze medals in men’s 56kg and 69kg category. All five medals for India have come in the weightlifting sport so far in Gold Coast.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 07, 2018 08:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).