Indian eves secure Olympic berth in weightlifting

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) Following their spirited performance in the ongoing Asian Weightlifting Championship at Kanazawa in Japan, Indian women by virtue of one silver and two bronze have booked an Olympics berth for the Beijing Games.

In the women's 69 kg event, Laishram Monika Devi bagged three medals for India in the final Olympic qualifying event which will conclude tomorrow.

Team's assistant manager Parminder Singh confirmed from Kanazawa that the Indian eves have secured an Olympic berth.

''We bagged one silver and two bronze and our women have booked one quota place for Olympics. We will have a clearer picture whether we can get more berths after the competition is over, but one quota place is secured,'' he said.

The Indian contingent comprising seven women lifters and four men have completed their engagements.

With a total lift of 218 kgs (95 in snatch and 123 in clean and jerk), India's Shailaja Pujari finished fifth overall in the women's 75 kg category today.

Manwhile, in the same category Kavita Devi withdrew from the competition.

In the women's +75 kg category, Geeta Rani finished overall sixth with a lift of 224 kg (99+125) while K Tulsi ended at the bottom of the list in the 11-lifter field with a total lift of 177 (80+97).

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