Weightlifting Worlds: Usha tops 61kg group, Nirupama finishes disappointing fourth

Indian weightlifter Usha dominated Group D while compatriot Nirupama Devi finished fourth in Group C of the women’s 61kg competition at the IWF World Championships on Sunday after a disappointing finish.

23-year-old Usha lifted a total of 212 kg, including 93 kg in the snatch and 119 kg in the throw, and finished ahead of all competitors in her group. Her total was also better than several competitors in the higher C group.

Moving up from the 63kg weight category, Nirupama managed a total of 211kg (91kg jerk and 120kg clean jerk). Although she lifted one kilogram less than Usha, she was placed in Group C due to the higher declared total of entries.

After completing Groups C and D, Usha was placed third in the overall standings while Nirupama took the fifth position. However, their final placings will not be confirmed until Group A is completed.

Usha started her jerking campaign by successfully lifting 90kg but failed to clear 93kg in her second attempt. She returned to the platform for her third and final attempt and successfully lifted the same weight.

Usha successfully lifted 115 kg and 119 kg in her first two attempts and failed 121 kg in her last attempt. She finished with a total of 212 kg.

Nirupama, meanwhile, had a tough climb and managed to register a total after completing only two successful lifts across the two disciplines.

She started with an unsuccessful attempt at 91 kg in the snatch, but managed to lift the weight on her second attempt. The third attempt at 93 kg was unsuccessful and she had 91 kg left in the opening discipline.

Nirupama successfully lifted 120 kg but failed in both her attempts to clear 124 kg. She eventually finished with a total of 211 kg, one kilogram behind Ushana’s effort.

At the World Championships, Group A includes the lifters with the highest declared entry totals, which represent the combined weight they intend to lift in the grip and jerk. In groups B, C and D there are athletes with progressively lower entry totals.

The World Championships are one of six events in the first period of the Olympic qualification system for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

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