Bhubaneswar: Odisha weightlifter Preetismita Bhoi is going from strength to strength.
The 16-year-old from Dhenkanal clinched the gold medal in Women’s 44 kg category at the 30th Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Preetismita, who set a world record in the clean & jerk category of the 40 kg event at last year’s Youth World Weightlifting Championships, competed in the 44 kg category event in the Commonwealth meet. She lifted a total of 150 kg with a 63 kg snatch and 87 kg in clean and jerk.
Preetismita’s victory opened India’s medal tally on the opening day of the Commonwealth championship.
Later in the day, former world champion Mirabai Chanu made a triumphant return to competitive wrestling by winning gold in the 48 kg category. Competing for the first time since finishing fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mirabai lifted 193 kg (84 kg snatch + 109 kg clean and jerk) to stand atop the podium.