Gyaneshwari Yadav Shines with Silver at Commonwealth Games
Proud Father Celebrates Daughter's Achievement
Deepak Yadav, the father of weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav, expressed immense pride after his daughter secured a silver medal in the women's 53kg category during her debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Monday. This achievement has contributed to India's medal tally, which now stands at five, including one gold, three silvers, and one bronze.
Overcoming Financial Hurdles
In an interview, Deepak shared his joy over Gyaneshwari's success, noting that her victory has brought joy not only to their family but also to the residents of Rajnandgaon and their hometown of Bhodia. He remarked, "Her silver medal has created a wave of happiness among children at home and people in the city and village."
Deepak recounted Gyaneshwari's journey, which began in Class 6 or 7 when she initially trained in powerlifting before transitioning to weightlifting, where she has since excelled at both national and international levels. He highlighted the financial struggles they faced in supporting her training and nutrition, including the challenge of acquiring necessary supplements, while also acknowledging the assistance they received from others.
"She started training in Class 6 or 7, and I would take her to practice. After winning a gold medal in powerlifting, we decided she should focus on weightlifting. She has consistently won medals and made us proud," he explained.
"Financial issues regarding her diet have been challenging. I had to work part-time to support her, purchasing protein supplements in installments. It was tough, but we received help from some people, which made things easier for her," he added.
A Hope for Government Support
Deepak expressed his hope that the government would offer Gyaneshwari a suitable job, providing her with a stable income to focus on her training and compete in larger events. "I hope the government will give her a good position with a decent salary, allowing her to invest in her future competitions," he stated.
Remarkable Performance at the Games
The 23-year-old from Chhattisgarh demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout the competition, setting multiple records during her quest for gold, as reported by ESPN.
Gyaneshwari began her event with an impressive 82kg lift in the snatch, followed by a successful 85kg attempt. She then broke the Commonwealth Games record with an 88kg lift, putting pressure on Nigeria's Onome Omolola Didih.
Didih responded with a record-breaking 93kg snatch, taking the lead into the clean and jerk segment.
The competition intensified as both athletes showcased their strength. Gyaneshwari opened the clean and jerk with a powerful 103kg lift, bringing her total to 191kg and setting another Games record. She followed this with a 107kg lift, further improving her total and closing the gap to Didih.
In a final attempt for gold, Gyaneshwari successfully lifted 111kg, finishing with a total of 199kg, which earned her another Games record. However, Didih clinched the gold with a stunning 113kg lift, totaling 206kg.
Despite not winning gold, Gyaneshwari's silver medal is a significant achievement in her career. She previously competed in the 49kg category but moved up to 53kg to avoid competing against India's Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu.