Martina Devi’s Commonwealth Games Journey: A Display of Grit and Perseverance
Martina Devi’s debut at the Commonwealth Games was filled with emotion and determination. The 18-year-old weightlifter from Manipur brought tears to her eyes, not from disappointment, but as a release after a tough competition. After suffering a serious ACL injury 18 months ago, she fought fiercely in the women’s +86kg event, ultimately finishing in fifth place.
In her performance, Martina registered a total lift of 245kg, which included a 105kg snatch and a 140kg clean and jerk. Although she was tied with Tui-Alofa Patolo of New Zealand, Patolo secured fourth place due to fewer failed attempts. The gold medal went to two-time Olympic medallist Emily Campbell from England, who set a Commonwealth Games record with a total of 278kg. Malaysian Siti Aqilah Farhana Draman (253kg) and Canada’s Etta Mae Love (250kg) rounded out the podium.
However, the numbers didn’t fully capture the emotional rollercoaster of Martina’s evening. Initially, her campaign looked shaky as she missed her first two snatch attempts at 103kg. With the pressure mounting, she calmly returned to the warm-up area and prepared herself for one last chance.
Her coach, Vijay Sharma, took a risk by raising the weight for her final snatch attempt to 105kg. With tension in the air, Martina successfully completed the lift, providing a huge wave of relief that brought tears to her eyes.
This momentum carried through to the clean and jerk round. Starting with a challenging lift of 140kg—among the highest in the competition—Martina nailed her first attempt, bringing her closer to a medal finish. However, attempts at 144kg and 146kg on her second and third lifts proved difficult, ending a highly charged evening for the young lifter.
Fifth place might not seem like a winning achievement, but it tells a much bigger story. Just a year and a half earlier, returning to such a high-stakes competition seemed impossible post-surgery. In Glasgow, Martina showcased her talent, handling intense pressure with grace and reminding everyone of her potential as one of India’s promising young weightlifters.
This experience marks the beginning of what many hope will be a bright future for Martina Devi.
