Commonwealth Games 2018, Gold Coast, Day 1: As it happened

Mirabai Chanu's 48kg women weightlifting gold, after Gururaja Poojary's silver in the men's 56kg weightlifting, were the highlights of India's action on the opening day of 2018 Commonwealth Games.

By Zee Media Bureau | Last Updated: Thursday, April 5, 2018 - 17:55
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu poses with her gold medal (Photo: PTI)

India began its campaign on a golden note in the weightlifting arena, where Mirabai Chanu won the women's 48kg gold medal, after Gururaja Poojary had opened India's account with a silver in the men's 56kg division. The Indian shuttlers swept Sri Lanka and Pakistan 5-0 apiece to reach the quarterfinal of the badminton Team Event. 

5 April 2018, 17:49 PM

That brings us to the end of our live updates from an action-packed opening day of Gold Coast 2018. 

The weightlifters lifted India with a gold (Mirabai Chanu) and silver (Gururaja Poojary). And hopes will once again be pinned to the weightlifting team to add to India's 1 gold and 1 silver from day one. 

So before we take your leave, here's INDIA'S COMPLETE SCHEDULE ON DAY 2

See you tomorrow morning! 

5 April 2018, 17:47 PM

The last India action in Gold Coast has ended on a losing note: The men's basketball team has lost to Cameroon 87-96 in a Pool B preliminary-round match.

5 April 2018, 17:22 PM

India currently No. 4 on the medals tally with a gold and a silver. England are on top with 5 gold, followed by hosts Australia who have bagged 3 gold medals so far.

5 April 2018, 17:12 PM

Badminton Update: India sweep Pakistan 5-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the Team Event

Ashwini-Ruthvika beat Mahoor-Palwasha 21-6, 21-10 in the fifth match to complete the whitewash. India had earlier in the day hammered Sri Lanka 5-0. They now meet Scotland tomorrow to know if they finish No.1 or No. 2 in Group A.

5 April 2018, 17:10 PM

Swimming: Srihari Nataraj finishes eighth in Men's 100m Backstroke Semifinal, fails to qualify for the final

5 April 2018, 16:53 PM

Men's Basketball Preliminaries: India beat Cameroon 76-62 in a Pool B match.

5 April 2018, 16:50 PM

Swimming Update: India's Virdhawal Khade finishes eighth in men's 50m Butterfly event, fails to qualify for the final.

5 April 2018, 16:44 PM

Badminton: Pranav-Chirag beat Pakistan's pair of Irfan-Murad 21-9, 21-15 in men's doubles to give India a win and a 4-0 lead in the Team Event tie.

5 April 2018, 16:40 PM

Weightlifting: Raja Muthupandi misses out on a medal finishing sixth in the men's 62kg event with a combined lift of 266 kg in snatch (116kg) and clean & jerk (150kg). Malaysia's Muhamad Aznil Bidin wins gold.

5 April 2018, 16:31 PM

Men's 62kg Weightlifting: India's Raja has now been pushed out of medal positions. He is No. 5 now. 

5 April 2018, 16:20 PM

Weightlifting, Men's 62kg: India's Raja completes a successful C&J of 150kg to go into the second position.

5 April 2018, 16:17 PM

Women's Baskebtball Update: India lose to Jamaica 57-66 in a preliminary Pool B match.

5 April 2018, 16:15 PM

Weightlifting (Men's 62 kg): India's Raja Muthupandi in third position after a best Clean & Jerk of 143. He still has one attempt left.

5 April 2018, 16:13 PM

Badminton, India vs Pakistan (Team Event): Saina Nehwal beats Mahoor Shahzad 21-7, 21-11 to give India a winning 3-0 lead in the tie. 

5 April 2018, 16:04 PM

5 April 2018, 15:45 PM

Badminton Team Event: Pakistan's Mahoor Shahzad seems overwhelmed facing the 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist, India's Saina Nehwal in Match 3 of the tie . India lead 2-0.

5 April 2018, 15:43 PM

Boxer Manoj Kumar advances to Round of 16 in Men's 69kg after defeating Nigeria's Osita Umeh with a 5-0 verdict.

5 April 2018, 15:35 PM

Badminton Team Event:

Kidambi Srikanth beats Murad Ali 21-16, 22-20 to give India 2-0 in the tie against Pakistan. India beat Sri Lanka 5-0 earlier in the day.

5 April 2018, 15:33 PM

Boxing Update: India's Manoj Kumar takes on Nigeria'a Osita Umeh in Men's 69kg Round of 32

5 April 2018, 15:23 PM

Badminton Update: India vs Pakistan (Team Event)

Match 2: Kidmabi won Game 1 against Murad Ali 21-16 in men's singles. 

Match 1: Satwik-Sikki beat Irfan-Palwasha 21-10 21-13 in mixed doubles.

5 April 2018, 15:16 PM

Update: Men's 62kg weightlifting

India's Raja Muthupandi is in 6th place at the end of snatch with a best of 116kg. Next up is clean & jerk. Pakistan's Talha Talib leads with 132kg. 

5 April 2018, 14:53 PM

New Zealand's Guinares lifts 114 kg and as I said earlier this competition is hotting up. Though the contender pitted for gold is Pakistan's Talha Talib who will lift 125 kg in his first attempt. Meanwhile, Raja will go for 116 kg. Raja nearly lifted it but faltered with the balance to lose the second attempt. This means he will not be able to lift more than that in his last snatch attempt. Guinares lifts 116 kg to remain in the lead so far. Raja is back for his final attempt. He lifts 116 kg to be in lead with New Zealand's Guinares.

The bar goes higher now. It's 120 kg on the barbell. And it's Sri Lankan lifter Wiraj who does it without breaking a SWEAT!!!!.  

5 April 2018, 14:50 PM

Raja from India is here. He will be lifting 113 kg in his first attempt. He lifts it smoothly. Job well done by the Indian. 

5 April 2018, 14:33 PM

We are very near to witnessing Raja Muthupandi in action at the 62kg category. The competition is picking up as Australia, Nigeria, New Zealand are going really strong. Now the weight in the snatch has reached 113 kg, which means Raja's turn is anytime now. As we talk, Cameroon will have a try at 113 kg. And this a classic lift there. Very impressive.  

5 April 2018, 14:14 PM

We are back at the weightlifting arena. The men's 62 kg category medal event has begun. Raja Muthupandi will represent India and will start the snatch with a weight of 113 kg. Indians have been in medal contention and we can hope that India get their third medal from the weightlifting arena. 

5 April 2018, 14:11 PM

Time for updates: It is learn't that PV Sindhu will not feature in the team event against Pakistan as she wants to give herself more time to recover from an ankle niggle. India will take on Pakistan in a liitle while from now. 

5 April 2018, 13:38 PM

Third game now. Welsh Chloe Thomas in lead straightaway. But Patkar bounces back and collects three points on the trot. India leading 6-3 at the break. Patkar seems to be focused and determined to win it for India. Superb services there by Patkar, takes her lead to 8-4. Suddenly Patkar has conceded four on the trot and the match is neck and neck. Patkar is becoming complacent. This is poor show. The game is hanging in balance. Thomas has climbed her way up. India 9-8 Wales. It is close. Thats it Match Point now for Patkar. No!!! This is superb fight back gain by Thomas. It's locked 10-10. Patkar again has a match point and then she gets a easy lob which she kills to give India the win against Wales. 

5 April 2018, 13:31 PM

Madhurika Patkar wins the second game too. Perfectly poised to seal the match. 

5 April 2018, 13:25 PM

Onus is on Madhurika Patkar to win it for India. And she knows it well. Starts really well takes 7-1 lead in the opening game. There is a visible difference in her singles game from the way she played doubles. 10-2 is the score. 10-3 now. Patkar seals it with a backhand jab. India 1-0 in the fourth match.  

5 April 2018, 13:08 PM

India start well in the decider. Its 2-2 now. India have taken to the offensive and are trying to push Wales on the backfoot. India lead 5-2 because they have handled the nerves better. Anna Hursey has been a little over aggressive. She isnt shy of playing her shots. Even though, she concedes points, she believes in getting back. This is a crucial two-point phase. And India give one away. Follow it up with a brilliant rally full of strokes. Madhurika Patkar produces a flurry of strokes to ensure India lead. India just 2 points away. Is there a sting in the tale. Wales fighting back. They make 8-9 but India get a point gain. Now advantage India. Match point. Nerves and India falter at the net. Still match point. What is this??? Wales have equalled. Its 10-10. After 11-10, Wales are fighting back. Its 11-11. Wales are ahead now. Pressure back on India now and Wales have won this game and match. What a match there. This means that India will have to win their singles tie up next. 

5 April 2018, 13:01 PM

Fourth game on. India seem to have gotten control of the tempo. The Welsh pair have been great with attack but now India is dictating the terms. India have not given easy hitting balls and have forced the Welsh team to forcefullly create chances. The game is hanging in balance as a 7-6 score suggests. At this stage, one simply cannot afford to be excited. Suddenly teams retract to defense and then Das plays a forehand strike to collect a point. A cheeky point give India the fourth game. It's 2-2 in the third match. 

5 April 2018, 12:52 PM

This 11-year-old Welsh girl is a clever campaigner. Knows when to slow it down. Good service by Das. And a good winner now. India 4-1 up. Welsh pair seems to be getting complacent. But you never know when they start to fight back. Remember the previous game. This time India too doesn't want to let it go. 7-2 now in India's favour. Anna has been brilliant with her placement, the way she picks the angle and forces the opponent to make an unforced error is simply too good. Meanwhile, India win the third game 11-5 and they stay alive in the game. 

5 April 2018, 12:43 PM

The second game of the women's Team event is about to start. India start well, pocket two points. The lead swells to 3-1 and now Mouma Das must maintain the pressure. Now Madhurika hits the net on the backhand. This 11-year-old Welsh player Anna Hursey is turning out to be very impressive. Her forehand and backhand are equally effective. Wales have fought back. India are lagging again. wales 7-5 India. Patkar struggling to cross the net and more so on the backhand. Now she falter on the forehand. Once again Anna finishes the game with a forehand stroke. India 0-2 down in the doubles game. 

5 April 2018, 12:32 PM

Table Tennis: Indian women have put a solid start against Wales in the team event. Earlier, India has pocketed both the singles matches and are leading 2-0 in the match. Manika Batra won 3-1 while experienced Mouma Das thrashed the Welsh opponent 3-0. The doubles match has just started. Wales are leading 4-1 in the first game. Unforced errors pinching India at the moment. India now get two back. Madhurima Patkar delivers a beautiful back hand. But Indians have been inconsistent. See overaggressive approach now costing India a point. Two point lead still with Wales. Welsh 11-year old Hannah has been very measured with her strokes and with this beautiful forehand smash, she ensures Wales take the opening game. 

5 April 2018, 12:20 PM

Time for updates: In cycling, India finished seventh in the women's 4000m Team Pursuit event. Australia and New Zealand will fight for the gold and silver while Canada and England to play for the bronze.  

After Harinder Pal Sandhu, India's Vikram Malhotra too wins 3-0 against Zambia's Manda Chilambwe in squash. 

5 April 2018, 11:31 AM

Chanu will now try to better her own record of 109 kg in clean and jerk. She is attempting 110. She breaks Games record and her own record. Chanu is a star and isn't she ecstatic. She didn't know that how much was she lifting. So innocent and she is taking her time to sink in the moment.   

5 April 2018, 11:11 AM

Canadian Amanda Braddock, the one who was expected to win silver, failed in all her three attempts to bow out of competition. Mauritian Marie has lifted 94 kg in clean and jerk to total 170 kg. She will now win the silver in this category. And Now!! Chanu will lift 103 kg to win gold.  And she has done it. India has won it's first gold. She is not done yet though. She will now attempt 107kg in second try. Does it with ease. That smile of hers telling the opponents that it was a cakewalk for her. 

5 April 2018, 11:00 AM

Back to weightlifting: If you are watching the event, you can see there is no competition for Chanu. These weightlifters are struggling sometimes to lift even 83kg and Chanu has opted for 103 kg in her first attempt. No tension at all. 

5 April 2018, 10:53 AM

Time for other updates. In Lawn Bowls, India men's triple event won against PNG but were thrashed earlier by Wales. 

In the 400m team pursuit qualification in cycling, India have clocked 5:05.668.  

5 April 2018, 10:38 AM

We are about to witness clean & jerk in a few moments. We are told that Chanu has opted for a lift of 103 kg in her first attempt. That says it all as she is way ahead of the competition. It will not be wrong to predict that Thursday will witness India's first gold medal. And an obvious climb up the medals tally. 

5 April 2018, 10:28 AM

Chanu will now try 86 kg, a kilo more than her own record of 85 kg set last year at the same venue. She does it with ease again. She has broken two records here. One is the snatch CWG record and the second is her own. She will be proud of her effort and the other contenders will be looking to make amends in clean and jerk.  

5 April 2018, 10:27 AM

Mirabai Chanu does it again. Lifts 84 kg easily. Another attempt left and she will definitely look to get her own record shattered. She is India's gold medal contender and the way she is going, it looks India will win it's first yellow medal through Chanu. Fingers crossed!!

5 April 2018, 10:22 AM

Right now Mauritius lifter Marie Ranaivosoa is leading with a 77 kg lift. Now Chanu is on the stage to attempt a 80 kg lift in her first try. This is simply beautiful. It looked like as if she was lifting a feather. Too smooth a lift. It looks she will go better in the next two attempts. In 2017, her best has been 85 kg. And having lifted 80 kg in first try she has made CWG record.  She will now try 84kg in snatch. 

5 April 2018, 10:14 AM

Cutting to the weightlifting arena now. It is the women's 48kg category event. India's Mirabai Chanu will be in medal contention. So as usual, the event will begin with snatch. For the information, the Commonwealth Games record in snatch is 77kg made by Indian lifter Augustina Nwaokolo. It will be left to be seen whether Chanu can get her name registered on the CWG record book in Snatch.  

5 April 2018, 10:02 AM

Fourth game starts. Sandhu concedes two points. Gets two back with his silken touch. You have to praise him for the way he changes his direction of the stroke at the last moment. This is turning out into a see- saw encounter. Both players testing each other with skill. Sandhu gets two points and is on match point now. Here it is Sandhu wins the game. Beats Stafford 3-1.  

5 April 2018, 09:52 AM

Third game on. Sandhu is world No 47 and you have to give it to Stafford to having stretched him in the second game. We have a review here as Sandhu was blocked by Stafford on way to retrieving a drop shot. But the decision is overruled. Sandhu picks up two points and leads 3-2. Another cross-court low angled shot earns Sandhu a point. Now a four-point lead for Sandhu here. Moving really well in the court and produces another drop short to take his tally to 9 points to 4 in the third game. As much as squash looks physical, it is as much skill. And Sandhu is displaying skill to perfection. Sandhu has won the third game 11-6 and needs to maintain his composure in one more game to advance to the round of 32. 

5 April 2018, 09:40 AM

We are just seconds away from the second game. Stafford takes the first four points. He is doing a Sandhu now, playing clever and keeping it as low as possible. Stafford is on fire. He is making Sandhu rally like anything. Sandhu on the other is seen scampering up and down through the court. Is it just me or you guys are also noticing that the bounce has considerably dropped. A lot of drop shots have been brought into play. Sandhu is catching up fast. Now breathing down Stafford's neck. 8-9 the score and Sandhu has made it 9-9. This is quite a performance and a fight back. What a rally there for the tenth point. And Sandhu in lead now and one away from the second game. Going back to the previous point, Sandhu's cross court backhand was as low as possible and it gave no chance to the opponent to retrieve that. Stafford though has made it 10-10. Its all about drops I tell you. After hard hitting strokes, its that perfect drop that does the trick. And verdict is out. Stafford pulls the second game back. This is very interesting squash happening here. Don't miss. 

5 April 2018, 09:36 AM

Squash update: India's Harinder Pal Sandhu is up against Cayman Islands' Cameron Stafford. Sandhu is in lead at 7-3 in the opening game. The diminutive sardar from India has swift court-movement and is skillfully cruising through. He picks the first game and has demolished Stafford, literally. 

5 April 2018, 09:17 AM

Not just badminton, India women have also beaten Sri Lanka 3-0 in Table Tennis. Manika Batra got the first singles with a dominating performance, beating Erandi Warusawithana 11-3, 11-5, 11-3. Then Sutirtha Mukherjee got the better of Ishara Manikku Badu 11-5, 11-8, 11-4. Later the doubles pair made short work of the Islanders. The men too had a cakewalk against Trinidad and Tobago, comfortably beating them 3-0 to advance to the next round. 

5 April 2018, 08:58 AM

Time for some important news and updates. Australia's sprint sensation Sally Pearson has pulled out of the Games due to an achilles injury. The first gold medal winner of the Commonwealth Games turned out to be Bermuda's Flora Duffy in women's triathlon. With the men's event underway, it will interesting to see who wins the yellow medal in a rainy setting in Gold Coast.