Assam’s weightlifter Gulap Gogoi is not one to sit on laurels; rather he strives to improve upon his own records as soon as he has set them.
Breaking the junior nationals record (clean and jerk score record and total score record) in the 81kg category (U-21) at the Khelo India Youth Games here today has not left Gulap complacent or satisfied.
When the 19-year-old was asked about his performance, the weightlifter said he should have performed better in the competition.
Gogoi, who recorded a snatch score of 120 and clean and jerk score of 155, clinched the gold medal with a total score of 275.
“I am feeling good about breaking the record, but I feel I should’ve done better. But anyway, I am feeling good about doing well here,” said Gogoi.
The weightlifter from Dibrugarh is currently practicing with eyes on the trials for the Commonwealth Championship.
“I started practicing weightlifting in 2014 in Dibrugarh. Now, I have joined the Indian Army and I practice in the India camp in Patiala. I am currently practicing for the trials for the Commonwealth Championship (junior tournament), which will take place in February,” said Gogoi.
His tryst with weightlifting started at a gym at his hometown, Gogoi said, adding, “I used to go to a gym in my hometown and then I saw people do weightlifting there. So then even I tried it and liked the sport. Thereafter, I took part in competitions and eventually went for the trials in Bhopal. I did well there and got a chance to join the Indian Army, four months ago,” said the weightlifter.
Gogoi who has won bronze in youth nationals and silver in junior nationals said it was tough for his family to provide financial support for his sport in the beginning.
“My father works in the police. We have faced a few financial issues while procuring supplements for my game, but we have managed so far. At first, my family didn’t understand weightlifting very well. I am the first sportsperson in my family. I kept learning about the sport and moved forward on my own. Now, my family gives their full support to me. I have the backing of the Indian Army as well. They are helping me to reach greater heights in the sport,” Gogoi added.
