India at CWG 2018: Heena Sidhu, Sachin Chaudhary, boxers lift medal tally

With 11 gold, four silver, and six bronze medals at the 21st Commonwealth Games, India held on to their third spot in the overall tally behind hosts Australia and England

Pistol shooter Heena Sidhu shone the brightest with a gold and a Games record, while para-powerlifter Sachin Chaudhary put behind a dope-tainted past to claim a surprise bronze as the Indian juggernaut slowed down a bit after five days of gold rush at the Commonwealth Games. With weightlifters through with their campaign, wrestlers yet to take off and boxers only getting into medal rounds, the number of medals were not too many to show on Day Six of the games.

However, India held on to their third spot in the overall tally, behind hosts Australia and England. The Indian contingent has so far collected 11 gold, four silver, and six bronze medals.

The ranges at Belmont Shooting Centre in Brisbane were expecting to boom with strong Indian performances but it wasn't a particularly great start as Gagan Narang and Chain Singh finished outside the medal bracket in the 50m rifle prone event. However, Sidhu made up for it to an extent by shooting down the gold as well as the games record in the women's 25m pistol event.

At the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre, Chaudhary gave India their only other medal of the day in para powerlifting with an effort of 181kg in the men's heavyweight final. The medal was a redemption of sorts for Chaudhary, who was banned for two years after failing a dope test in 2014. He had tested positive for the anabolic steroid methandienone and testosterone abuse in June that year. Without dwelling on his past, the lifter merely said he expects the medal to change things for good for him. "In India, the Commonwealth Games is regarded as one of the most prestigious sporting events. This is a life-changing moment for me," he said.

It was a brilliant day for the boxers at the Oxenford Studios, where all five in action assured themselves of medals by advancing to the semi-finals. Among them was veteran Manoj Kumar (69kg), a gold-medallist from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Joining him were a bunch of debutants -- Amit Panghal (49kg), Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg), the 19-year-old Naman Tanwar (91kg), and former Asian Games bronze-medallist Satish Kumar (+91kg).

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1) India at third spot at CWG 18: India are now standing at the third spot at the 21st Commonwealth Games with 21 medals, including 11 gold, four silver, and six bronze medals.

2) Heena Sidhu adds third gold to India's shooting kitty at CWG 18: Heena Sidhu picked up India's third gold medal in shooting at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, finishing on top in the women's 25m pistol event and also breaking a Games record in the process today. The 28-year-old Sidhu shot a final score of 38, two of the series being perfect fives, to claim the top honours ahead of Australian Elena Galiabovitch (35). The bronze medal went to Malaysia's Alia Azahari (26).

This was Sidhu's second medal at the ongoing Games after having claimed a silver in the 10m air pistol event behind 16-year-old compatriot Manu Bhaker. Incidentally, this is her first major medal in the 25m pistol event with most of her other podium finishes being in 10m air pistol. "I am exhausted, those are my thoughts on today's performance," Sidhu quipped while speaking to news agency PTI after her gold.

Sidhu was in terrific form after qualifying third with a score of 579 despite admitting to struggling with her trigger finger owing to a nerve problem. "Thankfully, my trigger which has been giving me some trouble because of a tingling sensation was alright today. I didn't feel that tingling too much," Sidhu said. "The 10m air pistol final is a blur to me, I couldn't feel my fingers during that. I have been undergoing physiotherapy for this problem but for today, I told my physio not to touch me. I just let it be and to my relief it went off well," she said.

Annuraj Singh finished sixth after being eliminated in the second stage of the same event. Her final score was 15.

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CWG 2018: Om wins shooting bronze; Mary Kom, Solanki assure silver; updates

Mary Kom enters the final round of women's 48kg boxing, assuring India of at least a silver medal, if not gold

 

India is continuing to shine bright on the seventh day of the 21st Commonwealth Gamesin Gold Coast Australia. Om Mitharval bagged a bronze medal in the 50m pistol finals, and India's veteran boxer M C Mary Kom has qualified for the final round, assuring India of at least a silver in the women's 48kg boxing event, if not gold. In men's 52kg boxing category, India's Gaurav Solanki beat his Papua New Guinea opponent Keama to assure India at least a silver medal in the category.

Meanwhile, ace shooter Heena Sidhu on Tuesday clinched a gold in the women's 25m pistol event, taking India's gold count to 11. Heena maintained her prowess throughout the game while other shooters — Chain Singh and Gagan Narang -- disappointed by finishing at fourth and seventh, respectively.

Para-lifter Sachin Chaudhary won a bronze for India in men's heavyweight category. With 21 medals, India finished at the third position in the medal tally.

Indian boxers showed phenomenal performance by assuring five more medals for the country after securing their places in the semi-finals. India qualified for semi-finals in both the men's and women's hockey events.

In badminton mixed doubles, Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal defeated Guyana and Pakistan to advance to the Round of 6.

Day 7 started with a glorious performance by Indian shooters. Jitu Rai and Om Prakash Mitharval entered the final round of men's 50m air pistol event. However, Jitu Rai was later eliminated from the men's 50m air pistol event. Earlier, Rai had bagged a gold in men's 10m air pistol event, while Om Mitharval had clinched a bronze in the same event.

Here are all the latest updates around India's performance and medals tally at the Commonwealth Games 2018 being held in Gold Coast, Australia.

1. Mary Kom enters final: Indian boxer MC Mary Kom defeated Anusha Dilruksh to enter the final of women's 48 kg at the 21st Commonwealth Games. Her dominance was such, she carved out a unanimous 5:0 verdict against the veteran Sri Lankan fighter.

2. Gaurav Solanki assures silver: India's Gaurav Solanki convincingly beat his Papua New Guinea opponent Keama 5-0 in men's 52kg boxing category to enter the semifinal round. Solanki assured India at least a silver medal in the category -- the seventh assured boxing medal for India.

3. Om Prakash Mitharval bags bronze in 50m pistol event: Indian shooter Om Prakash clinched bronze medal 50m pistol event. This second medal of the Commonwealth Games 2018. However, the gold medallist of 25m air pistol event, Jitu Rai disappointed. Jitu Rai was the first one to be eliminated in 50m pistol men's final.

Om topped the standings at the end of the qualification stage with a score of 549 points. Jitu qualified at the sixth position with 542.

4. Five boxers assure five more medals for India: India at present is at the third position in the medal tally but all thanks to the Indian boxers, India's medal tally is going to increase.

Five Indian boxers reached semi-finals and assured five more medals for India in 21st Commonwealth Games.

Manoj Kumar qualified for the semi-finals in the men's 69kg category, all set to bring his second Commonwealth medals. Amit Panghal, Mohammed Hussamuddin, Naman Tanwar and Satish Kumar joined Manoj Kumar by securing their places in the semi-finals of 49kg, 56kg, 91kg and +91 kg respectively.

"This is definitely going to be the biggest medal of my career so far. There is no doubt about that," said Amit Panghal after defeating Aqeel Ahmed of Scotland in a split 4-1 verdict.

Both Manoj and Hussamuddin will be up against English opponents in their semifinals bouts. While Manoj will face Pat McCormack, Hussamuddin will be up against Peter McGrail.

5. India started with a victory in squash on Day 6: All three pairs won their respective matches on the sixth day of 21st Commonwealth Games. Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal outclassed Guyana's Mary Fung-a-Fat and Jason-Ray Khalil by 2-0 (11-3, 11-3) in just 13 minutes of play. Later, the duo outclassed Pakistan's Madina Zafar and Tayyab Aslam 2-0 (11-2, 11-3).

In the women's doubles event, Dipika and Joshna Chinappa beat Pakistan's Zafar Faiza and Zafar Madina 2-1. They started with a defeat of 10-11 in the opening game by bounced back strongly to thrash Pakistan's Zafar Faiza and Zafar Madina by 11-0, 11-1. In the last event of the day, India's second mixed double pairing of Joshna and Harinder Pal Sandhu defeated Caroline Laing and Jacob Kelly of the Cayman Islands by 2-0.

Dipika and Joshna will take on Wales' Tesni Evans and Deon Saffery whereas Joshna and Harinder will now face Scotland's Lisa Aitken and Kevin Moran on April 11.

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CWG 2018 Day 5 medal tally: Australia wins 39 gold, India 10; highlights

Gagan Narang and Chain Singh entered the final of the men's 50m Rifle Prone event. India enters the semifinals in the men's hockey

India's gold rush at the 21st Commonwealth Games continues. India scripted history by bagging the maiden Commonwealth Games gold medal in mixed badminton event. Indian shuttlers thrashed three-time defending champions Malaysia on Monday.

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal defeated Malaysian Soniia Cheah by 21-11 19-21 21-9, securing the gold 

for India in the mixed team event.

"It is a medal that I will forever cherish, it is very special. Team gold is always way more cherishable," said the London Olympics bronze-medallist.

Earlier, India had won the silver and bronze respectively in mixed team badminton event in the 2010 and 2006 editions of the Commonwealth Games.

India enters the semifinals in the men's hockey by beating Malaysia in a Pool B match. All eyes are on Indian shooters. Annu Raj Singh and Heena Sindhu reached the final of women’s 25m pistol event.

Earlier, India shined in men's table tennis event at the Commonwealth Games as it outclassed Nigeria by 3-0 to win the historic gold in men's table tennis.

Indian players continued their dominance in the final and thrashed Nigeria in all the first three matches to clinch a gold medal.

This the second gold medal for India in table tennis after the women's team claimed gold medal by defeating Singapore on Sunday.

Ace shooter Jitu Rai won his second gold medal at the Commonwealth Games by creating a record of 235 on Day 5.1 in the men's 10m Air Pistol final.

Om Mitharwal bagged bronze for India with 214.3 in the final.

Indian women shooters made India proud as Mehuli Ghosh and Apurvi Chandela bagged silver and bronze respectively in the women's 10m Air Rifle event.

1. Gagan Narang and Chain Singh enter final: 

All eyes on Indian shooters as Gagan Narang and Chain Singh entered the final of the men's 50m Rifle Prone event. Gagan finished the qualifying round in the third position with 617 points. Chain was in sixth place, having scored a total of 614.2. Gagan was consistent throughout the qualification round, starting off with 102.5 before shooting a superb 104.8 in his second attempt. He bolstered his position with 102.3, 103.2 and 103.4 in his next three attempts. However, a poor 100.8 in his final attempt ended his chances of finishing among the top two.

2. India reach semifinals in men's Hockey

India defeated Malaysia by 2-1 in a Pool B match of the men's hockey tournament at the 21st Commonwealth Games. Harmanpreet Singh (3rd, 43rd minutes) converted a couple of penalty corner while the experienced Faizal Saari reduced the deficit for Malaysia. India entered semifinals in men's hockey.

3. Women shooters qualified for final:

Annu Raj Singh and Heena Sindhu reached the final round of women’s 25m pistol event. The 34-year-old shooter from Aligarh, Annu Raj Singh scored 239 in the precision series. Heena Sidhu scored 293 in the rapid-fire series, securing a place in the final.

4. India wins historic gold in the mixed badminton event

India won the historic gold medal in the mixed badminton event at the Commonwealth Games 2010. The World no. 2 Kidambi Srikanth started the final against Malaysia with a comfortable victory. He outclassed three-time Olympic silver medallist Lee 21-17 21-14 in straight games.

Satwik Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa increased the lead by defeating Peng Soon Chan and Liu Yong Goh by 21-14 15-21 21-15.

Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost narrowly to Goh and Wee Kiong Tan 15-21 20-22 in men's doubles, keeping Malaysia afloat for a while. Saina Nehwal did not disappoint. She bagged the gold against Soniia Cheah by 21-11 19-21 21-9.

"It was exhausting, I actually lost focus during the match but thankfully managed to hold it together and ensure that the gold medal winning shot was mine," said ace badminton player.

Indian weightlifters finished with five gold, two silver and two bronze medals, topping the charts in the sport.

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Commonwealth Games 2018: Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu wins 2nd gold for India

The Manipuri lifter lifted a total of 192 kg which included a CWG record of 84 kg in the snatch and 108 kg in clean and jerk

Indian weightlifter Sanjita Chanu won gold in the women's 53 kg category at the 21st Commonwealth Games (CWG) here on Friday.

The Manipuri lifter lifted a total of 192 kg which included a CWG record of 84 kg in the snatch and 108 kg in clean and jerk.

Loa Dika Toua of Papua New Guinea was a distant second with 182 kg while New Zealand's Rachel Leblanc-Bazinet took bronze with 181 kg.

Sanjita started off with a lift of 81kg in snatch and in her second attempt managed to lift 83kg. She then broke the Commonwealth Games record set by compatriot Swarti Singh in Glasgow by lifting 84lg in her third snatch attempt.

Sanjita looked in complete ease as she began the clean and jerk round with a lift of 104kg and then all but sealed the gold with a successful 108kg lift. High on confidence, the Indian weightlifter, went for a Commonwealth Games record in clean and jerk by attempting to lift 112kg but despite a clean pickup, she failed to get a successful lift, giving Dika Toua a ray of hope.

Needing a successful lift of 113kg to take the gold away from Sanjita, Dika Toua failed in her attempt.

On the Day 1 of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, World champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu of India rose to the occasion to win a gold in the women's 48kg.

Mirabai Chanu went on a record-smashing spree, claiming three of them in a power-packed performance, to secure India's first gold. In a remarkable performance, Chanu smashed the Commonwealth and the Games record in snatch, pulling off clean lifts in all her three attempts (80kg, 84kg and 86kg).

She then lifted more than double her body weight (103kg, 107kg and 110kg) in three successful attempts to claim the clean and jerk as well as the overall Games record.

The showing helped her better the silver she had won in the 2014 Glasgow CWG.

Earlier in the day, P Gururaja claimed a silver medal in the men's 56kg event to open India's medal account in the quadrennial extravaganza.

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Commonwealth Games 2018: Chanu wins gold, Gururaja silver in weightlifting

Weightlifter P Gururaja bagging the silver medal in the men's 56-kilogram category Commonwealth Games. Mirabai Chanu won gold

 

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the 23-year-old weightlifter from Manipur, on Thursday opened India’s account of gold medals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 by winning one in the women’s 48 kg category, with a combined effort of 196 kg.

Breaking her six personal records in six lifts, Chanu not only made the country proud but also rewrote history, raising her own National record by one kg.

The day started with weightlifter P Gururaja bagging the silver medal in the men's 56-kg category.

Saina Nehwal showed total dominance against her Sri Lankan opponent and snatched victory in badminton. And in the men’s game, shuttler Kidambi Srikanth also won his first match. Also, India defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in its first match in women's table tennis.

More than 4,500 athletes from 71 nations and territories are vying for 275 gold medals at the multi-sport event. Australia is hosting the Commonwealth Games for a fifth time.

The Indian contingent at the ceremony, consisting of over 200 athletes, is being led by flag-bearer P V Sindhu, the Rio Olympic silver medallist. The squad also includes double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, and London Olympic bronze medallists Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal and Gagan Narang.

Indian swimmers Virdhawal Khade and Srihari Nataraj are through to the semi-finals of their respective swimming events.

India defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in their first match in the women's table tennis.

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Mirabai Chanu wins Gold for India

Mirabai Chanu smashed the Commonwealth and the Games record in snatch, pulling off clean lifts in all her three attempts (80kg, 84kg and 86kg). She then lifted more than double her body weight (103kg, 107kg and 110kg) in three successful attempts to claim the clean and jerk as well as the overall Games record. The showing helped her better the silver she had won in the 2014 Glasgow CWG. The Indian ended with a score of 196kg (86kg+110kg), earning a massive applause from the fans at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.

First silver for India

The 25-year-old Gururaja equalled his personal best of 249kg (111+138) to finish second in a field where Malaysia's three-time Commonwealth Championships medallist Muhammad Izhar Ahmed (117+144) broke the Games record for snatch and overall lift.

Gururaja was third after the snatch, pulling off a best of 111kg after two good lifts before surviving a few nervy moments in clean and jerk. The Indian failed in his first two attempts before managing a good lift off his last chance to zoom to the top half of the table.

All eyes on Saina NehawalSaina Nehwal snatched victory in the mixed-team badminton event against Sri Lanka. Saina beats Sri Lanka’s Madushika by 21-8, 21-4 to bolster India's lead to 4-0 over Sri Lanka. She maintained her dominance throughout the game.

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