CWG 2022: India to send 12-member weightlifting contingent to Birmingham

India will send a 12-member weightlifting contingent, excluding coaches and support staff, to the Commonwealth Games (CWG 2022), which is set to take place in Birmingham, England, between July 28 and August 8.

The Indian squad will be spearheaded by the 2021 Tokyo Olympic silver medal-winning weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu. Five women and seven men will represent India in the allotted weight categories at the Commonwealth Games.

Earlier, the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) had planned to send former world junior bronze medalist Jhilli Dalabehera to compete in the 49 kg and Mirabai in the 55 kg category for CWG 2022. The decision was taken to increase the chances of bagging maximum medals at the mega-event.

However, a change in entry rules by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) dented the Tokyo Olympics silver medallists’ prospects of competing in the 55 kg category at CWG 2022.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) rejected the IWLF's appeal, owing to certain rules and regulations. India will also go unrepresented in 64 kg at the mega-event.

Unfortunately, Jhilli Dalabehera failed to find a spot in the CWG squad. She won a silver in the women's 49 kg category in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. Dalabehera lifted a total of 167 kg (73 + 94) to finish behind Stella Kingsley of Nigeria, who had a total effort of 168 kg (72+96).

CWG 2022: Indian Weightlifting squad

Men: Sanket Mahadev (55 kg), Chanambam Rishikanta Singh (55 kg), Jeremy Lalrinnunga (67 kg), Achinta Sheuli (73 kg), Ajay Singh (81 kg), Vikas Thakur (96 kg), Ragala Venkat Rahul (96 kg)

Women: Mirabai Chanu (49 kg), Bindyarani Devi (55 kg), Popy Hazarika (59 kg), Usha Kumara (87 kg), Purnima Pandey (+87 kg)

Coaches: Vijay Sharma, Pramod Kumar Sharma, Sandip Kumar, Dathan A.P.

Manager: Anande Gowda