Indore: A farmer’s daughter from Nashik, Vinatai Aher, who won the 40kg title in the girls’ weightlifting event, wants to win a medal for the country. The 17-year-old Vinatai lifted a total of 129 kg that included 57 kg in snatch and 72 kg in clean and jerk to set a Youth Games Record at the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 in Madhya Pradesh.
Vinatai, who practices under the supervision of Praveen Vyavhare at the Manmad gym, practices with national youth record holder Akanksha Vyavhare, who is 14 years old and has arrived for the first time to participate in the Khelo India Youth Games in Madhya Pradesh.
Vinatai, who studies at MG College, Manmad, said that she wants to win a medal for the country.
“It was a great experience to be here. The competition is also very good. It opens the way for players like us to go ahead. From here onwards I have to go for International. I will put in all I have to get selected for the national team. My aim is to win a medal for the country,” Vinatai was quoted as saying by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Vinatai played his first national event in Nagercoil last year. Vinatai said, “I finished second in Nagercoil. The first place was won by Joshna Sabar of Odisha, whom I defeated here. Now I will prove myself by participating in more and more national events.”
When asked if she got into weightlifting from any inspiration, Vinatai said, “My inspiration is my brother who is a weightlifter himself. He plays internationally. His name is Mukund Aahe and he holds the national record in 55kg. My younger sister is also into weightlifting and we all practice under the supervision of Praveen sir.”
Regarding Khelo India, Vinatai said that it is a very good platform. According to Vinatai, “This is a good platform. The best young weightlifters in the country come here. It was a good challenge in my category. I had a good fight with Odisha’s Joshna and now I have a good idea of how to play next. The arrangements here are good.”
(IANS)
