Commonwealth Games 2018: Inspired by Muhammad Ali, para powerlifter Sachin Chaudhary puts doping allegations behind him to win CWG medal

Sachin Chaudhary lifted himself to glory in Gold Coast, Australia, on Tuesday, as he bagged yet another medal for India at the Commonwealth Games. While India hadd already won a number of medals in the Games over the course of the last few days.

This was India's first medal in any para-sport at the games.

It has not always been easy for the 34-year-old from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, who was born to a family with a farming background. While his mother was a housewife, while his brother and father were all farmers.

The lifter, who looks up to Muhammad Ali got into this sport to support his family, Sachin's interest was always in sports. Pursuing a shot put career became rather difficult, though, as he had developed polio on one of his legs. However's Sathish's disability in his right leg meant that he couldn't follow up in Shot Put. As a result, he switched to Para Powerlifting. His switch yielded immediate results.

The 34-year-old has been participating in the Commonwealth Games since 2006, and has also represented India at the 2012 Paralympics held in London, where he finished 8th. Sachin has won silver medals at the 2009 World Games and IPC Asian Championships. He also secured a second-place finish in the 2017 Fazza World Para Powerlifting Championships.

Things took a turn for the worse for Chaudhary four years ago, however, when he was sent back home from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and was not allowed to participate in the Commonwealth Games.

In 2014, Chaudhary was excluded from the powerlifting list amidst reports that his father was ill. However, later it was, revealed that the true cause of his departure from the powerlifting camp was due to a failed dope test. National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) conducted an out of competition test, in which Sachin was tested positive for a banned substance.

However, he put these doping allegations behind him to make a comeback into the sport, before being picked in the Indian contingent.

Sachin's name was not on the initial list of contenders as well. Heading into the competition, the weightlifter from Meerut found himself off the list. However, when IOA demanded the names of medal contenders, Sachin's name was added to it.

Now, Sachin has proved all his detractors wrong with his performance in Gold Coast, where he completed a last-minute lift to clinch a bronze medal, after having failed in his previous two attempts.