Indian sports wrap, February 7: Muthupandi, Maharajan shine in men’s 65 kg at IWLF National Weightlifting Championships

WEIGHTLIFTING

The fourth day of the IWLF National Youth, Junior, and Senior Weightlifting Championships 2025-26 at the Yadav Farm House in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, witnessed a spectacular display of strength and precision.

In a day defined by high-stakes competition, elite lifters across all three sections—Youth, Junior, and Senior—battled for dominance in the Men’s 65 kg category.

The spotlight of the day belonged to Muthupandi Raja of Tamil Nadu, who delivered a commanding performance to claim the senior national title. Raja secured the gold medal with a formidable total of 302 kg, punctuated by a top lift of 172 kg in the Clean & Jerk.

He was joined on the podium by Charu Pesi (SSCB), who took silver with a total of 296 kg, and Olympian Jeremy Lalrinnunga (Mizoram), who secured the bronze with 295 kg.

In a remarkable double gold feat, Arumugapandian Maharajan (SSCB) swept both the Youth and Junior sections. Maharajan’s total of 282 kg earned him the top spot in both categories, establishing him as one of the most promising young talents in Indian weightlifting.

The competition will continue through February 14, featuring the nation’s premier weightlifting talent.

-Team Sportstar

TENNIS

Nagal to headline Indian challenge in Delhi Open ATP Challenger

Great Britain’s Jay Clarke will spearhead a strong overseas contingent at the Delhi Open 2026, while Sumit Nagal headlines the Indian challenge as the ATP Challenger tournament returns to the national capital from February 16 to 22 at the DLTA Complex, New Delhi.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Rohit Rajpal, President of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA), underlined the event’s importance for Indian tennis.

“The Delhi Open has firmly established itself as one of the most competitive and professionally run Challenger events in the region. Over the years, the tournament has played a critical role in bridging Indian talent with top international competition; giving our players the invaluable advantage of competing at home while offering fans the opportunity to experience world-class tennis at close quarters,” Rajpal said.

Talented Japanese teenager Rei Sakamato, his compatriot Rio Noguchi and Kazakhstan’s Beibit Zhukayev are also part of the field, underlining a strong Asian presence.

Manas Dhamne and Karan Singh will feature in the singles qualifiers on February 15, adding further domestic interest to the tournament.

-Team Sportstar

GOLF

Sharma and Sandhu miss cut in Qatar

Indian duo of Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu missed the halfway cut at the Qatar Masters golf tournament.

Sharma shot 73-74 and was 3-over as the cut fell at 2-under. While Sandhu carded 72-76 and was 4-over.

– PTI

Kochhar fires course record to take lead in the Philippines

India’s Karandeep Kochhar roared back in the third round with a course record to take the third-round lead in the Philippine Golf Championship.

Kochhar, who recently won in Egypt and his own country at the IGPL Tour, celebrated his return to the Asian Tour with a bogey free 65 that had seven birdies. With rounds of 74-69-65 he is now 8-under and leader by two.

The next best Indian after Kochhar was rookie Shubham Jaglan (77-70-69) with five birdies against two bogeys was T-17.

Ajeetesh Sandhu (72-75-74) had a rare quintuple bogey of five-over on a single hole but still made the cut at 5-over total and was T-61.

Shaurya Bhattacharya shot 77 but made the cut at 6-over and was T-63rd.

– PTI

Published on Feb 07, 2026