Dehradun, Uttarakhand – Weightlifter Jagdish Vishwakarma of the Services team delivered a jaw-dropping performance at the National Games 2025, clinching gold in the men’s 102kg category with a total lift of 345kg (152kg snatch + 193kg clean and jerk). However, it was his viral one-legged Nataraj pose – inspired by Lord Shiva’s dance form – that captivated fans worldwide 126.
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The Iconic Lift and Celebration
After successfully hoisting 193kg in the clean-and-jerk round, the 30-year-old Army Subedar raised his left leg in a gravity-defying Nataraj pose, balancing the barbell overhead for a split second. This audacious celebration, symbolizing “balance, grace, and power,” became the defining moment of the event and trended on social media with over 1 million views 156.
“It has become my pose to celebrate. I try to show that I can lift the weight on one leg,” said Jagdish, who trains at the Army Sports Institute in Pune 6.
The feat was particularly significant as Jagdish had previously faced disqualification for lifting his leg before completing the lift in 2024. This time, judges confirmed the “good lift” after he stabilized the barbell 4711.
Record-Breaking Rivalry
While Jagdish claimed gold, Maharashtra’s Vaishnav Thakur shattered the national snatch record with a 160kg lift, surpassing Jagdish’s previous mark of 157kg. However, Thakur’s weaker clean-and-jerk performance (175kg) relegated him to silver with a total of 335kg 347.
“Breaking Jagdish bhai’s record in front of him is a dream come true. Though he beat me overall, today is special,” said Thakur, acknowledging his idol 711.
Jagdish, a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, praised Thakur’s record but vowed to reclaim his dominance: “I tell youngsters to focus on breaking records, not medals. This has fired me up even more” 611.
National Games 2025 Context
- Event Scale: Over 10,000 athletes competed across 32 sports in Uttarakhand, with Dehradun as the main hub 258.
- Medal Tally: Services topped with 17 golds, followed by Karnataka (15) and Maharashtra (13) 259.
- Olympic Ambitions: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics during the opening ceremony 5.
Road to Asian Championships
Jagdish’s 345kg total lift secured his qualification for the Asian Championships in China, reinforcing his status as a global contender 16.
Why This Matters:
Jagdish’s blend of athleticism and showmanship has redefined weightlifting as a spectator sport. His viral moment underscores India’s rising dominance in strength sports, aligning with the nation’s Olympic aspirations.
