Indian Commonwealth Games Weightlifting Squad chooses University of Wolverhampton as training base

The University of Wolverhampton has welcomed the Indian weightlifting squad to its Walsall Campus as the team completes its final preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The athletes have been using the University's Health and Performance Suite in the William Penny Brookes building from 29 June until 21 July, taking advantage of the world-class facilities and training environment ahead of one of the biggest events in the international sporting calendar.

The University has provided access to the facilities to support the team's preparations and help athletes acclimatise to the UK time zone before competition begins.

India has long been one of the Commonwealth Games' strongest weightlifting nations. At the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, India topped the weightlifting medal table with 10 medals, including three gold, three silver and four bronze medals, highlighting the country's strength and consistency in the sport.

The squad training in Walsall includes competitors across 13 of the 16 weightlifting categories being contested at this year's Games, with hopes high of securing multiple medals for India.

Rohit Chhabria, physiotherapist for the Indian weightlifting team, said:

"We have been training here in Wolverhampton for weeks, as it gives the athletes the opportunity to train in this time zone ahead of the Games in Glasgow. Wolverhampton has all the facilities that we need and they are world class.

"We are hopeful of a gold medal in these Games and have entered weightlifters in 13 categories of a possible 16.

"Our athletes are training twice a day to get ready for the Games and my job is to ensure their wellness, monitoring their injuries, sleep and nutrition."

The team has been undertaking an intensive training programme, with twice-daily sessions making full use of the University's specialist strength and conditioning equipment and performance facilities.

Mark Niemz, Senior Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning at the University of Wolverhampton, said:

"It has been a privilege to host the Indian weightlifting squad at our Walsall Campus.

"The University's Health and Performance Suite provides elite-level facilities that support athletes from grassroots participation through to international competition, and we are delighted that the team has chosen to complete its Commonwealth Games preparations here.

"We wish all of the athletes every success in Glasgow."

The Health and Performance Suite supports teaching, research and athlete development, providing specialist facilities for sports science, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, and health & wellbeing.

The Indian squad's presence at Walsall further strengthens the University's reputation as a destination for elite sport and high-performance training.

Photo caption: Indian Weightlifting Squad physiotherapist Rohit Chhabria (far left) with the team