India’s Sudhir,
27, won gold at the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event of Commonwealth
Games 2022. He also made a record by scoring a total of 134.8 points. In his
first attempt, Sudhir lifted 208 kgs and then 212 kgs in his second lift, going
into the lead. Ikechukwu Christian Obichukwu of Nigeria won silver with 133.6
points and Micky Yule of Britain won bronze with 130.9 points.

Sudhir, who
suffers an impairment due to the effects of polio, was an Asian Para Games
bronze medallist before becoming a Commonwealth Games gold medallist. He
started powerlifting in 2013 in Haryana’s Sonipat.

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Upon Sudhir’s gold win, Indian President Droupadi
Murmu tweeted: “Congratulations to Sudhir for his historic feat in winning
gold in para-powerlifting in #CommonwealthGames. Your spirited performance and dedication have
brought you the medal and glory for India. May you shine in your future endeavours.”
   

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote: “A great start to #CWG2022 para-sports medal count by Sudhir! He wins a prestigious
Gold & shows yet again his dedication and determination. He has been
consistently performing well on the field. Congratulations and best wishes to
him for all upcoming endeavours.”

Indian
Law Minister Kiran Rijiju shared a video of the powerlift and tweeted: “Sudhir
lifted 212 kg in Para Power lifting and set new Games record to win Gold Medal
for India! A Hearty Congratulations Sudhir!!”

Sports
Minister Anurag Thakur tweeted: “Sudhir opens India’s medal tally at #CWG2022.
Congratulations on your medal at your first CWG. Yet another athlete from
Haryana makes a mark on the world stage. With the display of skill and spirit
on the mat today you showed the world what champions are made of.”  

Born into a farmer’s family in Haryana’s Sonipat, Sudhir contracted polio at the age of four. Extremely interested in sports all his life, Sudhir clinched his first gold medal in the first nationals in 2016. His international debut happened at the Asian Para Games in 2018. He currently works as a Senior Coach (Weightlifting) for the Government of Haryana.