Khelo India Youth Games: Arunachal Pradesh claims maiden gold through weightlifting

Arunachal Pradesh clinched its first gold medal through Golom Tinku who won in Under-17 boy's weightlifting in 55kg category in Khelo India Youth Games on January 17. 13-year-old quietly went about his task, lifting 116kg. He recently had also broken 55kg Junior National record for clean and jerk in Bihar. On Friday, he also went for national record again and asked for 123kgs on bar, however, it was unsuccessful, but applause neless was well deserved. 

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Shortly after winning medal, Golom said that he had never seen or played any sport growing up. He is third child of farming family and SAI Centre in Naharlagun changed his life. Within months of training, he was established as a prodigy and was soon breaking records and dominating competition at state level. 

As mentioned on Khelo India webseite, he said, “We didn’t have a TV to watch sport. I had never heard of any of se sports,” he said. “What we used to play in vill was what you call pithu, in rth”. Furr adding, “My sister used to do karate re, and my elder bror played badminton so started accompanying m just to watch. One day one of coaches asked me if I wanted to try weightlifting”. 

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'More opportunities bound to come'

Golom faced stiff competition from his fellow Arunachali Sankar Lapung and Assam's Prabal Gogoi. Both of his competitors registered a kilo more than him in clean and jerk at first attempt. However, duo was three kgs behind him after snatch. two failed at 117kg, leaving m with all to do and him to try and do impossible. 

Golom's coach, Yukar Sibi said, “We came with objective of t just winning gold but also setting record. record slipped from our grasp,. He got a bit nervous out re, but it’s okay. More opportunities are bound to come. He is so young yet.”. 

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Back in 2016, Golom was recruited by Army Sports company and is currently based out of Secunderabad in Hyderabad. Last year, he also won a bronze, which was his debut Khelo India Youth Games in Pune. At start of his career, he lifted 90kg and, after one failed attempt, successfully registered his highest of 93kgs. 

Golom also lost his far four years ago and because of financial strain, it was his elder bror who ensured youngster's weightlifting career would t suffer. Golom also informed that his bror also used to play badminton, but after his far's death, he had to quit sport and instead take up a job in Hyderabad, where he is a badminton coach. 

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