Udupi: Karnataka State Weightlifters’ Association and St Mary’s College Shirva jointly organised state weightlifting championship 2018-19 at Saude Sabha Bhavan Shirva.

The competitions were held under 10 categories for men and women. The team championship won by SDM Sports Club and runner-up secured by Alva’s College Moodbidri. Manjunath of SDM Sports Club was adjudged as the ‘Best Lifter’ among men. Under women category Alva’s College Moodbidri was the winner and Alva’s Ekalavya became the first runner-up. Keerthi of SAI Bengaluru was adjudged as the ‘Best Lifter’ among women.

Simultaneously, Mangalore University Inter-collegiate Weightlifting men and women and also ‘Best Physique’ competitions were held. Weight lifting competitions were also held in 10 categories for men and women. The men’s weightlifting ‘Prof Richard Rebello Rolling Trophy’ team championship was won by Alva’s College, Moodbidri and runner up was secured by SDM College, Ujire. Manjunath of SDM College, Ujire was adjudged as the 'Best Lifter'. The women weightlifting ‘Shirva Blossom Mansion Celestine D’Souza Trophy’ team championship was won by Alva’s College, Moodbidri and runner up secured by SDM College, Ujire. Gurusale Deepali Datttraya of Alva’s College, Moodbidri was adjudged as the 'Best Lifter'.

The Mangalore University intercollegiate Best Physique competitions were held under 6 categories for men and Mohammed Nabeel of SDM College of Business Management, Mangaluru, secured ‘Mr Mangalore University’ title.

The valedictory programme of the three day event was held meaningfully as Safthar Ali, NRI entrepreneur and first medallist of St Mary’s College said, that the college successfully organised the event this time as it was in the last 6 times in the past. He also appreciated the role of the college physical education director Venugopalakrishna Nonda for his sacrifice and hard work in bringing up the rural talents from this college. Surekha, inspector CISF working at Neyveli Lignite Corporation an alumna of the college and a sportsperson remembered the days of her college studies and the supporting role played by Nonda sir to making her a sports personality through which she secured a job in her life.

The valedictory programme was presided over by Fr Denis Alexander D’Sa, correspondent of St Mary’s and Don Bosco Institutions Shirva, stated that a new era has begun where we find the sports medalists are emerging from the rural area unlike from the urban. He also commended the hard work of the St Mary’s College Alumni Association and Karnataka State weightlifting Association making the event a grand success. He also thanked Mangalore University for giving an opportunity to host the intercollegiate weightlifting and Best Physique competitions in our college.

Dr Haridas Kulur, assistant director of Physical Education, Mangalore University and Prof Rajan V N, the principal of the college were present in the programme. Venugopalakrisna Nonda the organising secretary welcomed the gathering, Vishwanath Kaup, the president of the St Mary’s College Alumni Association, proposed the vote of thanks, the state level prizes and university level prizes were distributed during the programme. Assistant professor Melwin Castelino compered the programme.