Jeremy Lalrinnunga battles injury, cramps on way to CWG gold

“This is a Samoan magic necklace, which we use for good luck and friendship,” Loane is said to have whispered into the Indian’s ear, in those scant moments before national anthems are played, flags are unfurled and the tears flow. “You, Jeremy are my friend, and this is my way of showing respect,” the 34-year-old nodded to his much-younger, prodigious colleague. Just 19, Jeremy Lalrinnuna was already garnering the respect of his much-older colleagues. It was their way of saying that his time has come. “When we compete against each other, I would not like to give him an inch. I play hard,” he would tell us later.

(Getty Images)The strong wise man from the south Pacific was not lying. Because only moments before, he had reduced his younger colleague to tears in only the manner that seasoned older men can do to tyros in the heat of battle. It was the Samaon’s third and final clean and jerk attempt, and the anxiety was palpable in the Indian camp. Loane was going for a massive 174kg, and although top of the leaderboard, the Indian teenager Jeremy Lalrinnunga was grimacing in pain. It was weightlifting hell, the worst fears coming true in Jeremy’s short weightlifting life. A successful lift by Loane would have given him the gold medal. Because in his second lift, the Samoan had lifted 167kg – a good 7kg more than Jeremy’s best clean and jerk for the day earlier. The odds, yes, were in favour of Loane. At this juncture, look what was happening with Jeremy. He had injured his lower back in his second clean and jerk lift -- a successful 160kg. The 19-year-old hurt himself again during his third lift when attempting 165kg. The Mizoram lad had just failed by the narrowest of margins when he couldn’t get barbell over his head for