Mizoram weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga scripted history by winning India’s maiden gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, claiming the top honours in the men’s 62kg category.
The 15-year-old from Aizwal, who is also a world youth silver-medallist, lifted a total of 274kg (124kg + 150kg) to finish on top on Monday night.
The Mizo sensation, who will turn 16 on October 26, is being touted as the next big thing in Indian weightlifting.
Earlier this year, Lalrinnunga claimed a silver (youth) and a bronze (junior) in the Asian Championships, smashing two national records in the process.
Gold Morning India!! 🥇🇮🇳
Jeremy Lalrinnunga becomes the first ever Gold Medallist for #TeamIndia at the @youtholympics Games #BuenosAires2018 as he successfully lifts a combined weight of 274kgs in his #Weightlifting Men’s 62kg Group A event! World, take a bow!#IAmTeamIndia 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/dOCSNeMJdP
— Team India (@ioaindia) October 9, 2018
His maiden gold also means that India are set to record their best ever performance at the Youth Olympics.
The country has already won four medals with Tushar Mane and Mehuli Ghosh bagging a silver each in 10m rifle shooting while Thangjam Tababi Devi won India’s first medal in judo by finishing second in the 44kg category.
