Jeremy Lalrinnunga is an Indian weightlifter who won India’s first gold medal in the Youth Olympics Games (2018) in the 62 kg men’s category.
Wiki/Biography
Jeremy Lalrinnunga Ralte was born on Saturday, 26 October 2002 (age 19 years; as of 2021) in Aizwal, Mizoram. His zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Jeremy Lalrinnunga’s childhood picture with his grandfather
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Weight (approx.): 60 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Lalmaithuava Ralte, works as a muster roll labourer at Public Works Department, Aizwal. Lalmaithuava is a former national junior boxing champion. Jeremy’s mother’s name is Lalmuanpuii Ralte. He has four brothers including Jerry Ralte, Joseph Ralte, and James Ralte, and all of them are boxers. Jeremy’s eldest brother Jerry works at the Public Works Department in Aizwal.
Jeremy Lalrinnunga’s mother, brother, and father
Jeremy Lalrinnunga with his brothers
Jeremy Lalrinnunga with his father and brother (Jerry)
Relationships/Affairs
According to his Facebook account, he is in a relationship.
Religion
He follows Christianity.
Career
Jeremy started his training in boxing at the age of 6. His father who is a former boxer used to give him training in boxing. When he was 7 years old, he used to visit a gym centre in his village. There, he used to watch boys training and doing weightlifting. From there he developed an interest in weightlifting. In an interview, while remembering those days, he said,
I used to watch boys training at a gym near my house. They used to lift weights. It excited me. That’s what gave me the encouragement I needed to try my hand at the sport. I approached those boys in the gym and asked them if they can teach me how to lift. I started doing it and started lifting weights with perfection. May be God wanted me to become a weightlifter someday.”
Jeremy Lalrinnunga in State Weightlifting Assam 2018
Jeremy then approached Malsawma Khiangte (his first coach) to provide him professional training in weightlifting. During an interview, while talking about it, Jeremy said,
I approached Malsawma. He is the one who gave me professional weightlifting lessons. He used to ask me to bring a bamboo and asked me to lift it slowly. Those were 5m long and 20mm wide. There was no weight on them, but it was actually tough to lift a stick than a weight because you need to know how to balance it. It is quite tough. I practiced day and night, lifting bamboo sticks and learning the art of balancing.”
At the age of 9, he was selected in talent scouting by the Army Sports Institute (ASI), Pune. He then continued his training in weightlifting at ASI and participated in various nations and international weightlifting competitions. Later, Jeremy joined the Indian National Camp in Patiala where he did his training under his coach Vijay Sharma. He then participated in various weightlifting competitions including World Youth Championships, Khelo India School Games, Asian Youth and Junior Championships, and Commonwealth Youth and Junior Championships.
In 2018, he participated in the Youth Olympic Games and finished with a combined tally of 274 kg (124 kg in the snatch and 150 kg in the clean and jerk). He won a gold medal in the event. In 2019, he participated in the World Weightlifting Championships in the men’s 67 kg category and finished at the 21st rank in the event. His coaches are Malsawma Khiangte, Zarzokema, and Vijay Sharma.
Jeremy Lalrinnunga with his coach Vijay Sharma
Medals
- 2016: Silver medal at the World Youth Championships under 56 kg
- 2017: Gold medal at Commonwealth Youth Championships Gold Coast
- 2017: Gold medal at Commonwealth Junior Championship Gold Coast
Jeremy Lalrinnunga’s medals at his home
- 2018: Gold medal at Youth Olympics, Buenos Aires
Jeremy Lalrinnunga with his gold medal at Youth Olympics, Buenos Aires (2018)
Award
- 2021: GoSports Foundation Annual Sports Award
Jeremy Lalrinnunga with GoSports Foundation Annual Sports Award
Favourites
- Sports Person: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Travelling Destination: Argentina
- Restaurant: Sanpiau Restaurant, Aizwal
- Football Club: Manchester United
- Song: Perfect (2017) by Ed Sheeran
Facts/Trivia
- His friends lovingly call him Jalebi and German.
- In his early school days, he was inclined towards boxing. He used to train at his father’s boxing academy in Aizwal. When he was 8 years old, the academy was shut down due to certain financial obligations. His father then asked him to start training in weightlifting.
- He has got a few tattoos inked on his left arm including a tattoo of Olympic rings on his left bicep, and a tattoo of a weightlifter on his left forearm.
A collage of Jeremy Lalrinnunga’s tattoos
- Jeremy Lalrinnunga follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- In his leisure time, he loves to travel and hang out with his friends.
Jeremy Lalrinnunga during his trip
- In 2018, on winning a gold medal in Youth Olympics Games, he said,
I just can’t wait to meet my father. I will directly go to his office and will pay a surprise visit to him. He works as a labourer. I am really proud that my father did everything he could to help me become a sportsman. I am so so happy to fulfill his dreams. He is on contract and can be asked to leave his job anytime. I want him to relax. I will take care of my family now.”
- Jeremy has done paid promotion for the clothing brand Adidas on his Instagram account.
Jeremy Lalrinnunga’s Instagram paid promotion for Adidas
