Iran's Sohrab Moradi breaks weightlifting's oldest world record
JAKARTA: Sohrab Moradi of Iran broke weightlifting's longest standing world record on his way to gold in the men's 94kg class at the Asian Games on Saturday.
Moradi hoisted 189kg in the competition's opening discipline to better the snatch record set at 188kg in 1999 by Greece's Akakios Kakiasvilis.
Moradi now has a complete set of 94kg world records that will remain on the books forever.
After the Asian Games all the sport's weight classes will change ahead of the Olympic qualifying cycle beginning at November's World Championships.
Moradi already owned the marks for the clean and jerk (233kg) and total weight (417kg) in the men's light heavyweight division.
"I really wanted to break the world record as it was the only one I didn't have and this was my last chance," Moradi told AFP. "I feel very happy to know that my name will always remain on all the 94kg world records."
The Iranian said he would now step up to the new 96kg class.
"My next goal is the World Championships (in November) and after that to put on a good show at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics."
He just failed with an attempt at 234kg which would have bettered his own world records for the clean and jerk and total lifts.
But he did have the consolation of a new Asian Games record total of 410kg -- smashing the long-standing mark of 400kg set by Bakytbek Ahtemov of Kazakhstan in Busan 2002 -- after a clean and jerk of 221kg.
Mop-topped Qatari Fares Elbakh came second on 381kg and proved a fans' favourite as he was surrounded by a huge crowd of giggling teenage girls and posed for pictures with them after the medals ceremony.
"This is great. I love all my fans," he beamed. "I'm having a great time."
It was Qatar's first weightlifting medal of the Games and came after Iran's other great lifter in the competition, 85kg world record-holder Kianoush Rostami, failed three times to clean and jerk 220kg.
Kianoush was stepping up to 94kg from 85kg for these Games and despite lying second after the snatch he went home without a medal, leaving Elbakh grateful.
"I expected I could win a medal but didn't think it would be silver," he said, after the expected Iranian one-two failed to materialise.
Moradi said he felt sorry for his compatriot. "We trained together and Kianoush was with me on the podium at 85kg many times. I hope we can both be together again in the medals at 96kg."
Sumpradit Sarat won Thailand's fifth weightlifting bronze of these Games. They also won a silver in the women's 58kg through Srisurat Sukanya.
Courtesy : newindianexpress.com
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
