Pakistan weightlifter Talha Talib became the first Pakistani to top his group at the Asian Weightlifting Championships, which is a qualification event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, as he totalled with 304 kg in Ningbo, China on Sunday. The 20-year-old was placed in Group B of the 67kg event, and topping the group against his toughest competitor – India’s Jeremy Lalrinnunga – was definitely a massive feat for him in the pool of 10 weightlifters. Talib notched up 140kg in snatch, with his best from second attempt out of three, and 164kg from his second attempt in clean and jerk out of three, as he went on to accumulated 304 kg. While Jeremy Lalrinnunga remained on the second place with 297 kgs in total, despite being the most successful weightlifter from the South Asian region in the competition. Talha will be hoping for his medal after Group A would finish their event in the 67kg on Monday. According to Pakistan Weightlifting Federation official Rashed Malik, the country is expecting a bronze medal at least. Malik has been closely looking after Talha too and the second participant for Pakistan, Nooh Dastagir Butt, who will be taking on the competition in +109 kg. Talha is the first Pakistani since 1976 Montreal Olympics qualifiers, when Muhammad Manzoor finished third but did not proceed to final rounds, to even be among the top weightlifters at the Olympic Games qualifiers. Talha’s event will have the results today while Nooh will be going against top weightlifters in the heaviest category between the last two days of the championship, which will end on April 28.
Pakistan weightlifter Talha shines at Olympic Qualifiers
Published on: April 22, 2019 12:59 AM