Pujari, Rani to lead Indian challenge in C`wlth weightlifting

New Delhi: Top women lifters Shailaja Pujari and Geeta Rani have been named in the 15-member strong Indian squad for the Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championships to be held in Penang, Malaysia, from October 18-23. Pujari (75kg) and Rani (+75kg) are among the seven women lifters picked up for the event by the Indian Weightlifting Federation after a selection trial in Pune on September 6. Pujari and Rani, who are also in the 2010 Commonwealth Games elite list, will be among the top contenders for gold medal in Penang. The IWF also named 15 lifters for the Commonwealth Junior Weightlifting Championships to be held simultaneously at the same Malaysian city.West Bengal`s Sukhen Dey (56kg), who in June became the first Indian male lifter to win a medal at the world junior level by bagging bronze in the World Junior Championships in Bucharest, Romania, has found a place in the 15-member squad. "We have sent the names of 15 lifters each for the senior and junior events to the Sports Ministry for clearance. We are expecting a good result from this squad," IWF General Secretary BR Gulati told reporters. India last participated in the Commonwealth Championships in 2005 in Melbourne, and the country returned with a rich haul of medals. Pujari was adjudged the best woman lifter in that championships with a gold in the 75kg category. Bureau Report