IMPHAL: Manipur's weightlifting star, S Bindyarani Devi, made headlines on Friday at the ongoing National Games by breaking a new national record in the snatch category and winning a gold medal in the women's 55kg category. The 23-year-old athlete, who won a silver in the Commonwealth Games, proved her mettle after initial setback when she failed to lift 83kg in a snatch attempt.
In a dramatic comeback, Bindyarani lifted 88kg in her final attempt, surpassing the previous national record of 86kg by Mirabai Chanu who briefly competed in the same weight category. Thus, she became the top-most podium finisher.
Bindyarani maintained her excellent form in the clean and jerk round, lifting 107kg on the first attempt. She could not lift 112kg on her second attempt but made a great comeback in lifting 113kg in her final attempt. She narrowly missed the national record of 202kg in the clean and jerk category by just one kilogram, attaining a total lift of 201kg.
As a result of this victory, Bindyarani now holds all three national records in the women's 55kg category: snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift. L Nilam Devi from Manipur secured the bronze medal with her lifts including an 81kg snatch and a clean and jerk of 101kg.
With this achievement, Bindyarani claims dominance in all aspects of the women's 55kg weightlifting division, while L Nilam Devi proudly represents Manipur on the podium. Bengal's Sharabani Das won the silver medal with successful lifts of 106kg in the clean and jerk.
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