India can match China and become weightlifting powerhouse: Rijiju

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju Tuesday said India has the potential to give traditional weightlifting powerhouses such as China and North Korea a run for their money.

India returned from the Commonwealth Championship in Apia, Samoa with a rich tally of 35 medals in the youth, junior and senior categories, breaking numerous national, Commonwealth, world and Asian records.

The sports minister spent time talking to the 37-member contingent and congratulating them on their achievements.

"Good performances in tournaments are good signs. India can become the weightlifting powerhouse in the coming days," Rijiju said.

"We can have a very close competition with China and North Korea. India has the potential and I want that we should be at the top and get number of medals in the Olympics," he added.

India has traditionally been a frontrunner in the Commonwealth tournaments in weightlifting while country's like China, South Korea and North Korea dominate the global events.

However, recent results