Indians disappoint on opening day of Asian Weightlifting Championshi

Kanazawa, Japan, Apr 27 (UNI) Indian fans had little cheer at the Asian Weightlifting Championship here today with both V Srinavasa Rao and Shaya Devi finishing way down the final standings.

In the men's 56 kg event, Rao lifted a total of 237 kg (135+237) to finish a disappointing eighth.

Vietnamese Hoang Anh Tuan won the gold medal with a lift of 279 kg (126+153).

Chinese lifters Wu Jinbiao (274) and Cen Biao (273) took home the silver and bronze medals respectively.

Shaya Devi lifted a total of 174 kg (77 + 97) in the womens' 53 kg event to occupy the ninth spot in the 12-lifter field.

Cen Lijuan of China won the event with a total lift of 208 kg (91+117).

The silver went to Chaleephay Suda of Thailand who had a total lift of 207 kg (93+114) while Cheremshanova Svetlana of Kazakhstan finished third with 205 kg (90+115).

Laishram Monika and Shristi Singh will compete in the women's 69 kg category tomorrow while Kailash Pujari will fight it out in the men's 62 kg section.

The Asian Championship is the last qualification event for the Beijing Olympics.

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