Ashok, Sudhir qualify for Hangzhou APG; India finish with 22 medals in Asia-Oceania Para Powerlifting

New Delhi, June 21 : Powerlifters Ashok and Sudhir qualified for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games as the Indian team finished with a rich haul of 22 medals in the 2022 World Para Powerlifting Asia-Oceania Open Championships in Pyeongtaek, South Korea that concluded on Monday.

Overall, the Indian team bagged six gold, four silver and 12 bronze as China topped the medal tally with 29 medals including 21 gold.

The gold medallists for India were Ashok, who took two gold in mens up to 65kg (total score) in Asia and Open events, and Joby Mathew, who took four gold medals in mens under 59kg (best lift and total score) in Masters Asia and Open events.On the final day of individual events, Sudhir claimed bronze in mens up to 88kg with the best lift of 214kg in the second round, to finish behind Paralympic and World Champion Abdelkareem Khattab of Jordan (241kg) and Chinas Jixiong Ye, who managed 233kg in his final round lift, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) informed in a release.

Ashok and Sudhir will now join Parmjeet Kumar (mens under 49kg), and Sakina Khatu (womens under 45kg) for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Paralympic Games; and all four are likely to make the cut for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games owing to their improvement in world rankings.Elated on the teams show, accompanying national coach J.P.Singh told the Paralympic Committee of India, "This has been the best performance by our powerlifters in an international championship.We not only won several medals; two powerlifters made the cut for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games and are expected to make the cut for Paris 2024.

It was a very satisfying performance from the team."He informed that the para powerlifters are now focused on doing well at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

"The aim will be to win at least 2-3 medals at the CWG."Parmjeet, Khatun, Sudhir, Geeta and Manpreet Kaur will represent India in the Para Powerlifting events at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) starting July 28.bsk/inj #Ashok #Sudhir #Hangzhou #India #medals #AsiaOceania #Delhi Ashok #Jeet #China #Delhi #New Delhi #Birmingham #Paris.