Jeremy Lalrinnunga won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday. The 19-year-old, competing in the men’s 67kg competition, recorded a total lift of 300kg (140kg+160kg), finished ahead of Samoa’s Vaipava Nevo Ioane, who managed a total of 293kg (127kg +166kg). Nigeria’s Edidiong Joseph Umoafia took bronze with an effort of 290kg (130kg+160kg).

Also read: Jeremy Lalrinnunga sets new Commonwealth Games records in gold-winning campaign

The Aizwal-based weightlifter created CWG records with a 140kg snatch and overall lift of 300kg. He faced an injury scare and grimaced in pain twice during the clean and jerk attempts.

Talking about his injurt after the competition, Lalrinnunga said, “The warm-up was very good but after a point, my front thigh and inner thigh muscles started to cramp, due to which I could not walk for a while and could not cross the 140kg mark during warm-up.”

Also Read: CWG 2022: India hails ‘golden boy’ Jeremy for weightlifting medal

Jeremy opened up a huge 10kg gap with the nearest rival Edidiong Joseph Umoafia when he lifted 140kg in a successful second attempt. He had begun with 136kg.

Jeremy further targetted 143kg in his final attempt, but did not succeed.

In Clean and Jerk, the 2021 Commonwealth Championship winner began with 154kg and followed that up with 160kg, but could not complete the 165kg attempt.

The 19-year-old admitted that he is not satisfied with his performance. 

 “I am happy after winning the gold medal but not satisfied with my performance. I was expecting to perform better but winning gold for the country is a proud moment.”

Also Read: Watch: Jeremy Lalrinnunga’s gold-winning lift at Commonwealth Games 2022

Son of a national-level boxer Lalneihtluanga, Lalrinnunga also aspired to don the gloves but shifted to weightlifting as it involved just power to excel, something he found fascinating.

Praising his performance, Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Our Yuva Shakti is creating history! Congratulations to @raltejeremy, who has won a Gold in his very first CWG and has set a phenomenal CWG record as well. At a young age he’s brought immense pride and glory. Best wishes to him for his future endeavours.”