Rajinder Rahelu claimed silver with a lift of 185kg in Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting at Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Rajinder Rahelu, 2014 Athens Olympics bronze medallist, posted a best lift of 185kg to score 180.5 points and take silver medal. Nigeria’s Abudulazeeez Ibrahim lifted a massive 224kg to take gold medal, translating to 197 points.
Rahelu, who failed to register a clean lift at the World Championships in Dubai earlier in the year, opened with a clean lift of 182kg for 177.5 points to take the early lead.
However, pre-tournament favourite Abudulazeeez Ibrahim of Nigeria lifted a massive 217kg on his first attempt to overtake Rahelu in the lead with a points total of 191.
Rahelu managed to improve on his first round effort, lifting 185kg on his second attempt but failed with his final attempt at 189kg.
Sakina Khatun had won bronze in Women’s Lightweight division earlier in the day to make it two medals for India in the Para Powerlifting competitions.
After winning the silver medal, Rahelu said, “I’m proud to be in Glasgow. I’m going to be calling my mum as soon as possible, she will be very happy for me.”
Â