A year after the Tokyo Olympic Games high, coach Vijay Sharma is focused on guiding the Indian weightlifting contingent to a bagful of medals in the Commonwealth Games. India begin their campaign in Birmingham on Saturday and Sharma is expecting a richer medal haul than the 2018 edition.

In Gold Coast, India had won nine medals, including five gold. “It should be better than what was achieved four years back. I am confident about that,” Sharma said on Friday from Birmingham. Mirabai Chanu, who won silver in Tokyo, is the favourite to win the gold in the 49kg category on Saturday.

“She is the favourite, no doubt, “ he said. Sharma is bullish about Bengal’s Achinta Sheuli. The 20-year-old is in the 73kg category and is expected to stand on the podium on Sunday. “He is one of the most promising lifters we have right now. A medal contender Achinta will gain in experience from this event,” he said.