TURA, Jan 19: Audacity of overwhelmingly inexperienced garos in weightlifting versus the authority of experienced competitors from outside , courage, character and conviction by the Garo wildcard athletes engendered medals in an unexpected scenario. Their on the spot entry into the competition was a David and Goliath scenario of heroism , one of exceptional nerve, gallentry and prowness.

One was a volunteer for the ongoing Meghalaya games and the other two physical fitness enthusiasts pumping weights at a local gym in Tura, the trio of Raksil N Sangma, Chukam N Marak and John Tengsubat D Sangma had never imagined they would be standing at the victory podium displaying their medals in a sporting event they never participated in.

Well! Sheer grit and determination by these young boys keen to represent Garo Hills has turned them into champions as they made sporting history in weightlifting, taking home a gold and two bronze medals in the senior 67 kg category, something never achieved ever before.

Coach in body building and fitness, Torang Marak who led his two gym members, Raksil and Chukam to the games at Sericulture arena narrated how they came into participation in the weightlifting discipline for the games.

“We were not supposed to join as such or participate in this event on Thursday because for the training purposes we did not have anything to train with on weightlifting. The boys who won today are part of our gym Tura fitness Centre but they were not exactly into weightlifting,” said Marak.

He said that they received a call from the organizers looking for participants because Garo Hills was going into the weightlifting event without any participation.

“So, these boys said we would like to give it a try. And so, just for experience purposes they applied in the wildcard entry. Even if you win or lose you will gather experience. They came, participated and now stand before you as champions,” an extremely delighted Torang Marak said as spectators cheered on the victorious Tura trio.

The champion in the event and gold medalist Raksil N Sangma spoke about how they came into the games with just the basic experience of lifting weights at a gym in Tura.

“We had no preparation or practice for these games whatsoever because there was no equipment to train with for such a major sport. We only had gym experience. But we decided to give it our best shot after we came to know there was no representation from the Garo hills side. I was surprised by our performance and at a loss for words after winning in this sporting event,” said Raksil Sangma.

His gym partner and now Meghalaya’s bronze medalist Chukam N Marak, hailing from Modinagar- echoed similar words.

“There was no intention of participating in the games but because we came to know about lack of representation from the Garo Hills we decided to throw our weight in. Extremely happy to have won in a sport we had no idea of,” says Chukam Marak.

Another surprise discovery of raw talent was John Tensubat D Sangma of Daldagre locality in Tura, who was spotted by the organizers of the Weightlifting event where he had gone as a volunteer to help with the games.

“I came as a volunteer to help out at the games and was tasked with helping in arranging the weights. I tried out a few lifts, whenever I got the chance, and that was when the officials at the venue spotted me and encouraged me to join in the wildcard entry. The end result is a medal and I am humbled by this experience,” an excited John Tengsubat Sangma said.

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