New Delhi: Tamil Nadu weightlifter N Ajith achieved a remarkable feat at the ongoing 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand. The 25-year-old, who hails from the Sathuvachari village in Vellore district, clinched his third successive gold medal in the men’s 73kg category in Dehradun on Friday.
He didn’t start off well after failing to clear in his first attempt at 136 kg in the snatch. It didn’t deter him from glory as he lifted the aforementioned weight category in his second attempt before carrying 140kg in the final attempt.
In the clean and jerk section with a 166kg lift, Ajith was set for big heights as a astonishing 171kg lift followed in the very next attempt. This meant that he lifted a total of 311 kg in both snatch and clean & jerk sections. It was confirmed that the Tamil Nadu lifter would take the gold home, and thus, he opted against a third attempt in clean and jerk.
This was his third gold medal, adding to his brilliance at the National Games editions in Gujarat (2022) and Goa (2023).
Congratulations to Tamil Nadu Weightlifter Ajith N for winning Gold Medal in Men’s 73KG in the ongoing 38th National Games at Uttarakhand.@CMOTamilnadu @Udhaystalin @TNDIPRNEWS #SportsTN #NammaChampions #TalentSDAT pic.twitter.com/ODYvnj5MDy
— Sports Tamil Nadu (@SportsTN_) January 31, 2025
“For a weightlifter, staying injury-free is key. By the grace of God, I’ve been able to do that. Completing a hattrick of gold medals at the National Games is a huge achievement,” Ajith said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
It wasn’t a cakewalk for Ajith with Haryana’s Deepak Lather giving a good run for his money. Deepak took the lead in the snatch after lifting 141kg in the third attempt, which was 1kg ahead of Ajith. The Haryana lifter couldn’t bank on the advantage in the third attempt as he could only lift 160 kg in the final attempt of clean and jerk, accumulating 301 kg to settle for silver. Lalhunthara of the Services Sports Control Board claimed the bronze medal after lifting a total weight of 293 kg in both sections.
N Ajith’s inspiring journey to weightlifting
Ajith’s journey to the top is a tale of perseverance, grit, and defying the odds. Hailing from the small village of Sathuvachari in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, Ajith’s rise has been anything but smooth.
Growing up in a financially strained family, with his father working as a fruit seller in Bangalore, Ajith’s dreams of weightlifting seemed distant. It was his maternal uncle, Baskaran, a Railways weightlifter, who encouraged him to return to Sathuvachari and rediscover his passion.
The decision proved to be transformative. Ajith joined the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Mayiladuthurai, where his talent blossomed. His dedication and discipline propelled him to the top ranks of Indian weightlifting.
(With inputs from PTI)
Tamil Nadu’s N Ajith secured his third consecutive gold medal in men’s 73kg weightlifting at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. Despite a shaky start, Ajith showcased impressive strength, lifting a total of 311kg to defeat Haryana’s Deepak Lather. His journey reflects dedication and perseverance, overcoming financial hardships to achieve his weightlifting dreams. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
