India's lone lifter is a no-hoper

T Muthu, the lone Indian representation in men's weightlifting, will try his luck in the 56 kg category on the first day of competitions Saturday.

Though a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, 1999 and silver medallist a year before, Muthu virtually stands no chance to pick up a medal as his best lift till now still falls far short of the world standards.

He also won bronze in the Asian championship last year in China where he lifted 252.5 kg, with 112.5 in snatch and 140 kg in clean and jerk, a personal best.

He had qualified for the Olympics as Dalbir Singh (105 kg) suffered a shoulder injury during training.

A place in the top eight among the world's best would be an achievement for him.

UNI

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