MAHARASHTRA LIFTING QUEEN ASMITA DATHATRAY DHONE SHATTERS YOUTH NATIONAL RECORDS TO WIN GOLD AT KIYG
In a thrilling performance, 18-year-old Asmita Dattatray Dhone of Maharashtra broke two youth national weightlifting records to clinch the gold medal in the 49kg class at the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) at the Rajgir Sports Complex. Dhone shattered her own youth national record in both clean and jerk and overall total set at the Commonwealth Championships in Doha, Qatar, five months ago.
The talented weightlifter started by lifting 95kg in clean and jerk to break her national record, followed by adding two more kilograms to breach the mark again with an overall total of 170kg. This achievement is a remarkable improvement of 8 kilograms from her performance at the Commonwealth Championships.
Asmita's impressive show was led by Uttar Pradesh's Mansi Chamunda (75+88) who settled for silver and improved upon the youth national snatch record set by Panchami Sonowal of Assam in 2022. However, Asmita's gold medal win remains a significant milestone in the tournament.
Born and raised in Karad town of Satara district in Maharashtra, Asmita began weightlifting at the age of 14 under her coach Samrat Pawar. Despite facing socio-economic challenges, she has achieved tremendous success in her junior career, winning numerous national and international medals across various championships.
Asmita is now set to receive a scholarship from Khelo India and will train at the Sports Authority of India's Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports in Patiala. The young weightlifter remains inspired by the KIYG platform, which she believes "gives her energy and confidence." Coach Pawar praised Asmita for her strong genes inherited from her parents, discipline, and brilliant technique in clean and jerk, stating that with improvement in snatch, she will be "unstoppable."
Asmita's remarkable performance has sparked widespread excitement among fans and coaches alike, marking a promising future for this talented young weightlifter.