AP shines in weightlifting

HYDERABAD: Around 120 weight lifters and power lifters competed for three days at the 27th All India Postal Weight Lifting, Power Lifting and Best Physique Tournament and at the end of it on Monday, the team from Andhra Pradesh came out with flying colours.Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Orissa and Jharkhand won one each in the individual awards category. Shiva Keshav Yadav from the AP circle won 'Best Lifter Weight Lifting with Slash' title. The team championship awards were won by AP, TN and Maharashtra in power lifting, weight lifting and best physique categories. The DAK Shree 2011 Award was bagged by Jammejaya Mohanthi from Orissa circle.Soon after his victory, he said, "I was confident I would win the title." Pankaj Dwivedi, chief secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, gave away the awards at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium. Speaking on the occasion, he pointed out that weight lifting was not a new sport in the country. "There have been many good sportsmen from this sport but in recent times, it has been marred by the dope controversies," he said and advised the participants to steer clear of drugs and focus on a long career,  rather than a one-off title.Karuna Pillai, chief postmaster general, AP Circle was also present on the occasion.