Chandrakant Mali adds to India’s tally

July 31, 2014 01:08 am | Updated April 21, 2016 10:49 pm IST - GLASGOW:

Chandrakant Dadu Mali of India lifts188kg to win bronze in the Men's 94kg weightlifting competition at the Scottish Exhibition Conference Centre during the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday July 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Chandrakant Dadu Mali of India lifts188kg to win bronze in the Men's 94kg weightlifting competition at the Scottish Exhibition Conference Centre during the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday July 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Chandrakant Mali boosted the Indian tally by winning a bronze medal in the 94kg category of the weightlifting competitions on Tuesday night.

The Indian had a best of 150kg in the snatch and 188kg in the clean and jerk to finish with a total of 338kg, behind Steven Kukuna Kari (Papa New Guinea) and Simplice Ribouem (Australia).

Kari won the gold on lower body weight after he and Ribouem finished with 349.

Doubly sweet

Mali’s medal win triggered a celebration among members of the Indian contingent as his younger brother Ganesh Mali too had finished third in the 56kg category last week.

Commenting on his effort, the 26-year-old from Kolhapur said he was sure of a place on the podium after finishing fourth in 2010.

“I had prepared quite hard and knew that I stood a chance of winning a medal here. Though it was silver that I had targeted, I am still happy.”

Asked about his younger brother’s contribution to the team earlier, Mali said he was sure the whole village would celebrate this double victory.

“He had the chance to win gold but lost narrowly. He is a good lifter and you will hear more about him in the future.”

Chandrakant took to the sport after his father forced him to join a gymnasium when he was young.

“His intention was to strengthen my shoulders for ploughing our fields.

“But my fate was something else,” said the Indian Army lifter.

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