Khelo India Youth Games: Dancer turned weightlifter clinches gold, creates national record

Maharashtra's Soumya Sunil Dalvi t only clinched gold in U-17 Women 40kg weightlifting at Khelo India Youth Games on January 15 but also created a national record. On January 16, 14-year-old repeated history after winning gold in same category last year in Khelo India tournaments. Soumya was a dancer until she took weightlifting at of 12 and started securing national titles at of 13. teenr's success story starts from moment she created records in snatch and overall total at Nagpur national in 2018. 

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Weightlifting in her blood

Soumya's far, Sunil was a former weight lifter and a Chhatrapati Award winner. It was only due to her far's inspiration, that she decided to pursue sport and was selected in Maharashtrian contingent for Khelo India Youth Games at Pune in 2019. Since n, Soumya has t only bettered her own records but also clinched golds in most of m. Soumya has also said earlier that it was after she saw her far play sport. Sunil took her responsibility after realising her affinity. Soumya has also revealed that her far is her 'role model' but she also respects Mirabai Chanu. 

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t only Soumya but two ors along with her from Maharashtra won gold medals on Wednesday at Khelo India Youth Games in Under-17 categories in weightlifting. Harshada Garud clinched gold in U-17 45kg weightlifting and also created a national record. Currently, Maharashtra is acing 'Medal Meter' with 110 metals including 28 golds, while Haryana is second in line with 73 medals including 23 golds followed by Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala. 

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