Records Tumble as 37th National Games Kick Off with Weightlifting and Netball Glory

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National Games, Weightlifting, NetBall

The 37th National Games got off to an electrifying start at the Campal Sports Village, as athletes from across the country showcased their prowess in weightlifting, netball, and rugby sevens. The opening day witnessed stunning performances, national records being shattered, and a fierce battle for supremacy.

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In the weightlifting arena, Dipali Gursale from Maharashtra and Prashant Koli representing the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) left an indelible mark. Dipali Gursale, competing in the women’s 45 kg category, set the stage on fire by breaking the national record in the Snatch with an impressive lift of 75 kg. This paved the way for her to clinch Maharashtra’s first gold in the 37th National Games, lifting a total of 165 kg.

Chandrika Tarafdar from West Bengal, displaying her exceptional talent, broke the clean-and-jerk national record on her way to securing the silver medal. The bronze was claimed by T. Priya Darshini of Telangana.

Gursale’s exceptional performance not only earned her the gold but also saw her surpass the previous records held by Komal Kohar and Jhilli Dalabehera in Snatch and Total, respectively.

In the men’s 55 kg category, Prashant Koli made a statement by edging out Maharashtra’s Mukund Aher for the gold medal. Koli’s snatch performance was crucial, as he surpassed his rival’s national record by one kilogram. His combined total of 253 kg (115 in snatch and 138 in clean and jerk) secured a second gold medal for the Services Sports Control Board. Guru Naidu from Andhra Pradesh secured the bronze.

In the Women’s 49 kg category, Gyaneshwari Yadav from Chattisgarh emerged victorious by lifting a total of 177 kg. Preeti of Haryana bagged the silver with a total of 174 kg, while former Asian Champion Jhilli Dalbehera, competing in the 45 kg category, settled for the bronze after lifting 167 kg.

In the realm of netball, Haryana dominated the proceedings by securing gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories. The men’s team triumphed over Kerala in a tightly fought final, winning by a margin of 45-42. Meanwhile, the women’s team exhibited their prowess by defeating Karnataka 58-52 to claim the gold.

In the men’s bronze medal match, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi played out an exciting 73-73 draw, resulting in a shared victory. The women’s bronze medal match witnessed a similar scenario, as Delhi and Telangana ended their match in a 64-64 tie, and both teams were declared joint winners.

Over at the Athletics Stadium in Bambolim, the Women’s Rugby 7s tournament got underway with some exhilarating encounters. In Pool A, top-seeded Odisha women dominated Goa with a commanding 52-0 victory, while fourth-seeded Kerala secured a win against Bihar with a 40-5 scoreline. In Pool B, second-seeded Maharashtra displayed their prowess by defeating Karnataka 48-0, while West Bengal triumphed over Delhi with a score of 38-10.

In the men’s fixtures, Haryana got off to an impressive start by blanking Goa 31-0 in Pool A. Odisha, in the same group, secured a hard-fought win over Kerala with a scoreline of 15-12. In Pool B, West Bengal defeated Punjab 19-7, and Maharashtra edged past Bihar with a 19-12 victory.

The opening day of the 37th National Games showcased the remarkable talent and competitive spirit of athletes from across the nation. With more thrilling events and record-breaking performances expected in the coming days, the Games promise to be a spectacle that captures the essence of Indian sportsmanship and talent.

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