The silver medal-winning performance of Odisha’s star weightlifter K Ravikumar at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Glasgow on Sunday has led to celebrations in his home town of Brahmapur with his family members distributing sweets.
“I am happy that he has won the silver though I would have been happier if he had won the gold. But this was the first time he was contesting in the 77-kg category and also the first time he was competing after a surgery. I am sure he would bring the gold at the forthcoming Asian championship,” said his elated mother.
Ravikumar lifted 142 kg in snatch and 175 kg in clean & jerk to win the silver, in which compatriot Satish Shivalingam from Tamil Nadu won the gold. Ravikumar had set a new record in the 69-kg category at the last CWG in New Delhi in 2010. This was the first time he participated in the 77-kg category.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday congratulated Ravikumar for his medal winning performance.
Patnaik said his success has brought laurels and pride for Odisha. The weightlifter, who had undergone surgery on his shoulder following an injury sustained during the last Olympics, staged a stunning comeback in the CWG this year.