Harshada’s gold medal is the first for an Indian at the junior worlds, following Mirabai Chanu’s bronze in 2013 and Achinta Sheuli’s silver (2021).
Weightlifter Harshada Sharad Garud became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Junior World Weightlifting Championships in Heraklion, Greece, on April 2nd, 2022.
On the first day of the tournament, the 16-year-old lifted a total of 153 kg to win the title in a field of eight competitors in the women’s 45 kg category.
Bektas Cansu of Turkey won silver with a total lift of 150 kg, and Hincu Teodora-Luminita of Moldova won bronze with a 149 kg effort.
Another Indian competitor, Anjali Patel, 148 kg, tied for fifth place with Indonesian Najla Khoirunnisa on an aggregate of 148 kg. They were both one kilogramme behind Hincu, who was in third place.
Sharad Shantaram Garud, Harshada’s father said, “I have never been this happy. Harshada has fulfilled my dream. ” Sharad’s promising weightlifting career had come to an end by the time he was 17, and he had only represented his state at the high school level.
Harshada Garud began weightlifting at the age of 13 when her father took her to coach Biharilal Dube’s training facility in their town, the Dube Gurukul. The old man could see the young girl’s potential right away.
“My father was a state level weightlifter. Although I never saw him in action, I always heard his stories and stories about him. I never thought of doing anything else,” Harshada said.
“I am very happy with my lifts. I expected to win a medal here, but gold is beyond my expectations,” further added Harshada.
Coach Pramod Sharma, who is travelling with the champion, said that all of her lifts were spectacular. She’s been competing in international tournaments for three years, and you’re going to hear a lot more about her.
In age-group competitions, she has been a consistent performer, winning gold (under-17) at the Khelo India Youth Games in 2020 and bronze at the Asian Junior Championships in Tashkent later that year.
At continental and world championships, medals are awarded separately for snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift. In the Olympics, however, only one medal is awarded – for total lift.
Harshada’s gold medal is the first for an Indian at the junior worlds, following Mirabai Chanu’s bronze in 2013 and Achinta Sheuli’s silver in 2021.
Edited by – Vanshika Sahu
Published by – Mohd Faizan
