Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Sep 18: Pradeep Kumar Acharya from Urwa Store here, who represented India in the 83 kg senior division of Commonwealth Benchpress Powerlifting Championship being held at St John's in Canada, has won gold medal for the country in 83 kg senior category on Tuesday September 17.
Pradeep registered total lift of 210 kg. Tom Keen, who registered lift of 180 kg got silver medal, while Rob Dyke bagged the bronze medal. Pradeep's very first effort, in which he lifted 200 kg, ensured him the gold medal. He will be competing in another segment on Wednesday.
With Pradeep's stellar effort, India has got three gold medals in this championship in which two from Tamil Nadu had won gold on Monday.
Pradeep said that 15 lifters from Karnataka could not take part in the championship because of visa problem, and dedicated his gold medal to them. Pradeep was trained by Sathish Kumar of Balanjaneya Gym.
In addition to Pradeep, 18 others from the state were scheduled to take part in this event, but visa was denied to 15 including some medal hopefuls. Out of 60 from the country who desired to take part, only 30 had got visa.