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CWG: Lifter Venkat Rahul wins 85kg gold (Second Lead)
Gold Coast, April 7 (IANS) Venkat Rahul Ragala extended India’s medal-hunting run in the weightlifting competitions as he clinched the gold medal in the men’s 85kg category at the Commonwealth Games here on Saturday.
Venkat Rahul, the 21-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, lifted a total of 338 kg — 151 kg in snatch and 187 in clean and jerk — to bring maiden gold medal for India in this weight category.
The silver medal went to Samoa’s Don Opeloge, who lifted 331 kg — three more than Malaysian bronze medallist Muhamad Fazrul Azrie Mohdad. Cameroon’s Donald Keyimeh Nkoh was fourth with a total lift of 326 kg.
Venkat Rahul’s gold medal was India’s fourth in Gold Coast and sixth overall in this edition. All of medals for India here have come from weightlifting category.
Also, India has got four gold medals in weightlifting competitons in an edition of the CWG for the first time.
Venkat Rahul lifted 147 kg in his first effort in snatch to set the lead early. Opeloge and Fazrul were not behind, lifting 144 and 145 kg respectively in their first efforts.
Venkata Rahul, in his second effort, failed to lift 151 kg, while Fazrul flopped in his 150kg lift, Opeloge took the lead with a lift of 148 kg.
The Indian, however, bounced back in his third effort of lifting 151 kg. Opeloge too didn’t relent and matched the Indian’s effort to tie the top spot after the snatch round, while Fazrul fell behind by failing to lift 150 kg for the second straight time.
In the first effort of clean and jerk, a lift of 182 kg put Venkata Rahul on the lead, even though Nkoh matched it, he was behind in overall lifts. Opeloge and Fazrul successfully lifted 180 kg and 175 kg respectively.
Venkat Rahul further raised his level with a 187kg lift in his second effort of clean and jerk. While Opeloge flopped in hia 188kg lift, Fazrul was successful with an 181kg effort. Nkoh kept up his spirit with an 186kg lift.
In the final efforts, Venkat Rahul failed in his 191kg lift. Similarly, Opeloge also failed to lift 191kg, giving the Indian the top place.
In the battle for the third place, Fazrul lifted 183kg to take the gold after Nkoh failed in his lift of 189kg.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.