Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga targets gold at CWG

NEW DELHI: Missing out on the Tokyo Olympics last year made him realise that the transition from junior to senior level is not easy, said Youth Olympic champion weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga as he aims to clinch the coveted gold at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

After a torrid year that saw him suffer two injuries and contract the dreaded coronavirus, Jeremy is all rejuvenated and prepared to do what it takes to succeed at the senior level, starting with the multi-sport event at Birmingham.

“It is my first CWG and I am feeling great. After the Youth Olympics, this is going to be the biggest competition for me as I had missed out on the Olympics,” Jeremy, who competes in the 67kg category, said.

Jeremy had burst onto the scene in 2018 when he became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

The Mizoram lifter was touted as one for the future in the sport but while he managed to shatter youth world records, Jeremy’s performance at the senior level has left a lot to be desired.

“I understood that I have to work much harder because the total that I was lifting was not good enough. It also made me realise how tough Olympics is from junior to senior,” said Jeremy.