Jeremy Lalrinnunga to compete against Achinta Sheuli in 73 kg for Olympic qualification

New Delhi: Commonwealth gold medallists Jeremy Lalrinnunga and Achinta Sheuli will be competing in the same weight category for a single spot in the Paris Olympics. Jeremy will gain weight to compete in the 73 kg category in the Olympic qualifications. His weight category of 67 kg will not feature in the 2024 Games.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) scrapped the 67kg from the Paris Games, and Jeremy Lalrinnunga will have to gain some weight, which he says he has not been able to do for the past two years. On the other hand, Sheuli is the national record holder and CWG champion in the 73 kg. The two will have to battle it out as only one lifter per country is allowed in the Olympics.

Jeremy is currently in the USA for a three-and-a-half-week strength conditioning training camp in St. Louis. Talking to PTI, he said, “My natural weight is 65kg. So, going up will be difficult to increase my body weight.” He told that he is trying to increase his weight but is unable to reach the 70 kg mark since 2019. However, the lifter added that now his diet, supplements and training will change keeping in mind the new 73 kg goal.

Jeremy won the 2018 Youth Olympics gold medal in Buenos Aires in the 62kg category but then shifted to 67 kg to comply with the new Olympic weight categories. Now, he will be moving further to the 73 kg category. The 19-year-old CWG champion also said, “Asian Games and World Championship have 67 kg but the aim is Paris Olympics.”

India’s head coach Vijay Sharma has a positive outlook on it. He said that now the competition will be tough and both the lifters will practice hard, which is good for them. He also said that Jeremy and Achinta will keep each other motivated.