Weightlifting Worlds: Usha wins 61kg Group D; Nirupama fourth in Group C
Indian weightlifter Usha topped Group D while compatriot Nirupama Devi finished fourth in Group C of the women's 61kg competition at the IWF World Championships on Sunday. Usha recorded a total of 212kg (93kg snatch, 119kg clean and jerk) and Nirupama managed 211kg (91kg snatch, 120kg clean and jerk).
The 23-year-old Usha finished ahead of every lifter in Group D and posted a total that was superior to several competitors in the higher Group C. Nirupama, who has moved down from the 63kg weight category, was placed in Group C because of a higher declared entry total despite lifting one kilogram less than Usha. After the conclusion of Groups C and D, Usha sat third in the overall standings and Nirupama was fifth; those positions will be finalised only after Group A completes its lifts.
Usha opened her snatch with a successful 90kg attempt, missed 93kg on her second lift, then succeeded with 93kg on her third attempt. In the clean and jerk she posted successful lifts of 115kg and 119kg before failing at 121kg on her final attempt, finishing with a combined total of 212kg.
Nirupama began with a failed 91kg snatch but completed that weight on her second attempt and missed 93kg on her third, leaving her with 91kg in the snatch. In the clean and jerk she successfully lifted 120kg but failed both attempts at 124kg, ending with a 211kg total, one kilogram short of Usha's effort.
Group A at the World Championships contains lifters with the highest declared entry totals, which represent the combined weight they intend to lift in the snatch and clean and jerk, while Groups B, C and D feature athletes with progressively lower entry totals. The World Championships is one of six events in the first period of the Olympic qualification system for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Following Groups C and D, Usha is listed third overall and Nirupama fifth; their final positions and any changes to the overall standings will be confirmed after Group A completes its competition.