There seems no end to the woes of the India team at the second Youth Asian Games in Nanjing. Barely days after 17 track and field athletes were sent home because they were overage, three weightlifters were disqualified for the same reason.
The three — Chandrika Tarafdar (women’s 48kg), Jyoti Mal (women’s 53kg) and Akshay Bhagwan (men’s 62kg) — were not allowed to take part in their respective events by the games organisers.
Though an official of Indian Weightlifting Federation said they were yet to learn the reason behind the disqualification, age is believed to be the cause as all the three were born before December 1996.
As per the guidelines of the Asian Youth Games organising committee, apart from athletics and weightlifting — where athletes should be born on or after January 1, 1997, — the age criteria for the remaining 16 disciplines is different; sportspersons who are more than 17 years of age can also take part.
Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the IWF is planning to lodge a protest before international federation president Tamas Azan who will be in Nanjing on Wednesday.
Gandas takes silver
Golfer Manu Gandas claimed the silver, while Saroj Ajay Kumar settled for a bronze in the 1500m race as India’s medal tally swelled to six on Tuesday.
Gandas ended with a three-round total of 11-under 205 to bring cheer to the Indian camp.