By Our Editor
On Sunday, July 31, the third day of Commonwealth Games (CWG) underway in Birmingham, legendary Charles Chaplin’s city, United Kingdom, 20-year old Mizoram boy Jeremy Lalrinnunga won gold medal in the men’s 67 kg weightlifting competition. Enduring severe mental pain the reigning Youth Olympic champion shattered two CWG records to bag gold with successful snatch mark of 140kg attempt and then lifted 160kg in clean and jerk to take his aggregate to 300kg which is a new Games record. Vaipava Ioane (127kg+166kg = 293kg) of Samoa came second with silver medal and Elidiong Umoafia (130kg+160kg=290kg) of Nigeria in third position secured bronze medal. During his clean and jerk effort Jeremy suffered cramps due to strain on his thigh and hamstring muscles as a result of which he totally blacked out. However he could manage to cry out aloud to his coach (Vijay Sharma), ‘sir medal aya ki nahin?’ (Did I get a medal?) and back came the reply, ‘gold hai hamara’ (you have won the gold) which then soothed his nerves. With his winning gold, Mizoram state in particular and North East (NE) India in general and the whole nation too was overjoyed as this was India’s fifth medal and second gold from the weightlifting arena at the National Exhibition Centre till the third day of CWG.
Jeremy’s first love was boxing and he aimed right from his childhood to make a name for himself in this sport as he was greatly inspired by his own father, Lalneihtluanga, who was junior national champion boxer. Born in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram, in 2002 the young boy all along followed his father’s footsteps but midway he had to make a difficult switch to weightlifting because he had inner feelings that he could perform better in future after watching his fellow friends closely during their practice and their passion for the game. Initially, he was caught in confusion since he was also in love with boxing though at times he continued to box in the ring. Finally he joined the Army Sports Institute. Jeremy had won silver at World Youth Championship in 2016 in 56 kg weight category followed by bronze at the 2018 Junior Asian Championships.
The 22nd Birmingham CWG is the first multi-discipline event since the start of pandemic to be held without major Covid-19 restrictions. Meanwhile, as many as 70 cars in red, white and blue were arranged in forming Union Jack, tribute to city’s incredible history of motor industry. Unforgettable comedian Charles Chaplin was hailed as one of city’s heroes and mention was made of William Shakespeare’s First Folio which is in the new Library of Birmingham, the largest public library in U.K. Games mascot, Perry the Bull, got its name as the city’s iconic Bull Ring Market has been around for hundreds of years. Parade of Nations comprising 72 nations and territories from all over the world was led by Australia, host of the last Games followed by the rest of Oceania region and other respective regions.