Kunjarani, Chanu disappoint

Medal aspirants Kunjarani Devi and Sanamacha Chanu, triple gold winners at the recent Commonwealth Games, failed to make an impact in the women's 48 kg category in the weightlifting event at the 14th Asian Games in Busan on Monday.

While Kunjarani had to be content with the seventh position, Chanu was forced to pull out due to a shoulder injury after taking part in the snatch event, much to the disappointment of the team.

Kunjarani managed a total lift of 172.5 kg, which was quite creditable though not enough to come anywhere near the bronze medal.

Chanu managed 77.5 in the snatch but could not complete the event beacuse of the injury.

Creating a new Asian Games record, China's Li Zhuo claimed the coveted gold medal with a total lift of 200 kg (snatch 90, clean and jerk 110), while the silver was taken by Thi Win Kay of Myammar with an identical lift of 200 kg. The Chinese was given the gold because of a lighter body weight.

Lisa Raema Rumbewas of Indonesia had to be content with the bronze medal with a total lift of 195 kg.

Though the Indians did not win any medal on the opening day of competition, coach Pal Singh Sandhu was quite satisfied with Kunjarani's performance.

"I think it is a creditable effort because she has improved upon her Commonwealth performance. It was always going to be tough to win a medal in the Asian Games," he said.

"The Chinese are far superior and have progressed a lot. They are also the Olympic champions, so it is very difficult to beat them," Sandhu said.

Kunjarani tried to lift 80 kg in the third attempt in snatch but could not manage it, while in clean and jerk her last attempt of 102.5 kg also did not bear fruit.

India won just one silver medal at the last Games in Bangkok, and the five-member contingent in Busan is trying to improve upon that tally this time.