Sudhir on Thursday claimed the gold medal in men’s heavyweight para powerlifting at the Para Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. 

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Sudhir lifted 208kg in his first attempt before increasing it to 212kg in his second effort to gather 134.5 points and break the Games record. The Asian Para Games bronze medallist has an impairment due to the effects of polio, thus opened India’s para sports medal account in the ongoing CWG.

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Ikechukwu Christian Obichukwu won the silver with 133.6 points, while Micky Yule bagged the bronze with 130.9 points.

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Sudhir had won a bronze in men’s upto 88kg with a best lift of 214kg at the World Para Powerlifting Asia-Oceania Open Championship in South Korea in June.

Sudhir, who had started powerlifting in 2013 in Sonipat, has also qualified for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, which was postponed to next year.

President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Sudhir for his historic feat. 

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“May you shine in your future endeavours,” the president said.

“Congratulations to Sudhir for his historic feat in winning gold in para-powerlifting in #CommonwealthGames. Your spirited performance and dedication has brought you the medal and glory for India. May you shine in your future endeavours,” Murmu tweeted.

“A great start to the CWG 2022 para-sports medal count by Sudhir! He wins a prestigious Gold and 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 PM Narendra Modi tweeted. 

“Sudhir lifted 212 kg in Para Power lifting and set new Games record to win Gold Medal for India! A Hearty Congratulations Sudhir !! #ParaPowerlifting #Cheer4India,” Union Law minister Kiren Rijiju said on Twitter. 

“Bravo! Heartiest congratulations to Para Powerlifter #Sudhir on winning India’s 1st ever GOLD🥇 medal in Para-Powerlifting at #CWG2022 with a Games Record to his name। This is a momentous achievement. My best wishes for your future endeavours. #Cheer4India🇮🇳 @birminghamcg22,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted.