Dhaka, UNB: Lifter Mabia Akhter Simanta clinched the first gold medal for Bangladesh in the 12th South Asian Games in the women’s 63-kg weight category of weightlifting at the Bhogeshwari Phukanani Indoor Stadium in Dispur, Guwahati on Sunday. Mabia hoisted the Bangladesh flag high for the first time in the ongoing eight-nation South Asian Games lifting total 149 kgs, with 67 kgs in snatch and 82 kgs in clean and jerk. She had also won gold medal in her favourite 63 kg weight category in the Commonwealth Youth competition held in India last year. Also on the day, lifter Fullapati Chakma clinched a silver medal for Bangladesh in women’s 58 kgs weight category of weightlifting at the same venue. This was the 2nd silver medal for Bangladesh in the ongoing South Asian Games after wrestler Rina Akhter, who clinched the first silver medal for the country in the women’s 60 kgs weight category of wrestling at the DTRP Indoor Stadium in Ulubari, Guwahati on Saturday. On the 3rd day of the meet on Sunday, Fullapati Chakma lifted total 144 kgs in women’s 58 kgs to win the day’s silver, lifting 63 kgs in snatch and 81 kgs in clean and jerk. Kamla Shrestha of hosts India earned the event’s gold lifting total 187 kgs. Fullapati Chakma expressed her satisfaction at the winning of the silver medal for Bangladesh in her first SA Games appearance. “My expectation was a gold medal, but I am also happy with the silver medal too,” said Fullapati, who also won silver medal in South Asian Weightlifting in Nepal in 2012 and a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Weightlifting in Malaysia in 2010. Chef de mission of Bangladesh contingent Ashiqur Rahman Miku, President of Bangladesh Weightlifting Federation Manjur Quader Quaraishi, Amatul Kibria MP, federation general secretary Wing Commander Mohyuddin Ahmed were present during the games and prize distribution ceremony. Earlier on Saturday, experienced lifter Mollah Shabira clinched the first bronze medal for Bangladesh in the 12th South Asian Games Weightlifting in women’s 48 kgs weight category. Shabira lifted total 143 kgs to earn the bronze medal, with 63 kgs in snatch and 80 kgs in clean and jerk. With the day’s feat, Bangladesh have secured a total of eleven medals — one gold, two silver and eight bronze. Bangladesh earned the eight bronze medals – four in swimming, two each in wrestling and weightlifting. A 521-member contingent is representing Bangladesh in the ongoing 12th South Asian Games taking place from February 5 to February 16 in Guwahati and Shillong for 228 gold medals at stake.
