A gold medal in an international tournament can change a sportsperson’s life. For Achinta Sheuli, the Commonwealth Games gold medal that he earned on Sunday will ensure the change will be a lot more.

For starters, it will mean better days for his family (in Deulpur, Howrah) who have lived in poverty but have not given up on Achinta’s hopes and aspirations. “I can give my mother and brother a better life now,” Achinta, who won India’s third gold medal in Birmingham in the men’s 73kg weight division on Sunday, told The Telegraph over a Zoom call on Tuesday.

Achinta is grateful to his family for the support he has got over the years. “My struggle is nothing compared to what my family has done for me. I want to give them a better life now,” he said. “They are very happy with my success. But now they have become so busy that amar sathe kothai hoche na (they have not been able to talk to me),” he added with a laugh.

He is now eyeing the Paris Olympics. “I am training at the Patiala National Camp now. I will do my best to qualify for Paris and try for a medal there.” Achinta began his weightlifting training with local coach Ashtam Das in 2010.

“Sir is also very happy but he also pointed out a few places where I could have done better. I will meet him when I go back home,” he said. But homecoming will not be soon for him. “I will return to training in Patiala now. Then when I get a break I will go home. I really don’t know when,” Achinta said.