Weightlifter Mabia Akhter Simanta has earned Bangladesh its first gold medal in the 12th South Asian Games in the third day of the event at the Bhogeswari Phukanani Indoor stadium in Guwahati, India yesterday.
Mahfuza Khatun also won gold for Bangladesh in the swimming discipline on the same day in the women’s 100m breaststroke category. Mahfuza clocked 1:17.86s to touch the finishing line, beating silver winner Lianna Catherine Swan of Pakistan and Chahat Arora of India, who finished third.
Simanta clinched first spot in the women’s weightlifting event (63kg category), leaving behind Ayesha Vinodani of Sri Lanka and Jun Maya Chhantyal of Nepal by a notable margin. She lifted a total of 149kg (snatch 67kg and max 82kg) while silver winner Ayesha lifted 11kg less.
Simanta had pain on her hand and was unable to hold back her tears on the podium. “It surprised me too that I won the gold medal. I thought I would have won silver or bronze but luckily won the gold. I am really happy to win Bangladesh a gold medal. I want to express my gratitude to my coach, weightlifting federation general secretary Mohiuddin [Ahmed] sir and my family,” said Simanta, who now wants to take part in the qualifying round of the Olympics.
