Ragala Venkata Rahul, a student of A.P. Sports School (Hakimpet), did India proud by winning silver and two gold medals in the 77 kg category in the 16 Asia Youth Weightlifting Championship in Bangsaen (Thailand) on Thursday, according to information received here.
The 17-year-old, a native of Stuartpuram, who has been winning laurels at the international-level ever since he joined the Sports School, came up with an effort of 133 kg in snatch (for the silver), 163 kg in clean and jerk (for the gold) and the combined effort of 269 kg fetched him another gold. Winning medals is nothing new as Rahul had won two gold medals in the youth and the junior categories of the Commonwealth Championship in Penang (Malaysia) last November. Trained by Soraisam Achou Singh and Pachipala Manikyalu, he had won gold medal in the 77 kg category with a combined effort of 310 kg in the Asian Youth Games last year. He also won three gold medals in the Asian Youth Championship and two medals in the IWF Youth Boys World Championship in Tashkent a year ago. “Ï dream of representing India in the 2016 Rio Olympics and win a medal ,” exclaimed Rahul.
AP Weightlifting Association secretary Badeti Venkatramaiah lauded Rahul.
