Mhatre, Jadhav lead India’s rich gold haul

Nitin Mhatre began the India’s gold-winning spree in Pune as he won his first Asian gold in the men’s bodybuilding 55kgs in the 52nd Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship. Sunit Jadhav added another gold in 90 kg category to contribute second gold medal from Maharashtra.

Mhatre, coming from a small hamlet called Vandre in Thane district was a four-time Mr India and had one Mr World title to his credit, but it took him 14 years to win the Asian Championship as he could not afford the expenses to travel abroad for previous Asian championships. Jadhav is the flag bearer for Indian bodybuilding.

Indian athletes made a huge bang on final day as they went on to win five gold, six silver and four bronze medals. Bhaskaran added gold in the 60kg category, which was followed by A Boby Singh (80 Kg), Yatinder Singh (85 Kg) and Jadhav at the last. Indian athletes added six silver and four bronze medals in the 10 out of the 17 categories.

In the under-60kgs Gaurav Bhandari, Hari Babu  (65kgs) and C Rahul (70kgs) won silver for India while L Neta (55kgs) and Pothina Krishna finished with bronze medals among the others.