India 'proud' to see national flag flying high at CWG' 18

New Delhi [India], April 8 (ANI): Terming India's performance at the ongoing Commonwealth Games a 'fantastic start', Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Sunday hailed the country's immense potentials.

India has so far bagged six gold, two silver and three bronze medals to take the fourth sport in countries medal tally.

"It's a fantastic start. We feel happy to see medals coming in and women athletes leading. When our flag flies high, it's a proud moment for all Indians. We have a lot of potentials and it needs to be tapped, " Rathore told ANI.

India started Day 4 of the quadrennial event with Punam Yadav's gold in women's 69kg weightlifting event. The Glasgow edition bronze-medallist won the event with a combined lift of 222kg (100kg+122kg).

Yadav's celebration was followed by celebrations at her city in Varanasi.

"She has always worked hard and deserves the medal," family of Yadav said.

Apart from her, Yadav 16-year-old Manu Bhaker also bagged a gold medal in women's 10m Air Pistol finals event and took India's gold medal tally to six. Seasoned campaigner Heena Sidhu claimed silver in the same event.

After Sidhu's glory, her mother Rominder Kaur Sidhu thanked God for blessing her daughter with such strength.

"I am very happy. My daughter has made our city and the entire nation proud. I am thankful to God that he blessed my daughter with such glory," Heena's mother said.

Another shooter Ravi Kumar bagged a bronze medal in the Men's 10m Air Rifle, taking India's tally to ten.

Indian weightlifters continued their medal rush at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as Vikas Thakur won a bronze to gift India its eighth medal in the sport.

Earlier, weightlifters Venkat Rahul Ragala and Sathish Kumar Sivalingam clinched a gold medal in the men's 85 kg category and 77 kg category respectively.

Other gold medals have come from weightlifters Sanjita Chanu and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu in the 53 kg category and 48 kg category respectively. (ANI)