Here’s a spotlight on E. Karunakaran, one of India’s early weightlifting champions on the Commonwealth stage:

Medal: Gold

Category: Flyweight

Games: 1978 Commonwealth Games

Location: Edmonton, Canada

E. Karunakaran’s victory was a major boost for Indian weightlifting, especially in lighter weight categories.

His win came at a time when Indian lifters were beginning to establish dominance in the Commonwealth Games, setting the stage for future stars.

It also inspired increased participation and support for the sport across India in the late 1970s and 1980s.