Mangalore: Over a thousand local citizens, the mayor of city, Hindu JV members, an excise department tea, and sports admirers received the victorious 5 weight lifters, who had been to Kobe in Japan to compete in Asian Power Lifting Championship on Dec 5 to 9, when they returned to Mangalore central on Wednesday with 18 medals to a rousing welcome and fanfare.

There was Vinutha and Neha from SDM College in Ujire, and coach Satish K. Kudroli with them. They went in a procession to Balanjaneya Gymnasium from the railway terminal station.

Late they met DC Dr. Channappa Gowda at his office. DC encouraged them to participate in more national and international and international events.

Satish asked for more support to the game as in the case of hockey, shuttlecock, and football, from the government to take part in international events, and bring laurels of India.

The five power lifters from Karnataka had won 18 medals in Japan. Prasad, vinay and Anand were other 3 victors.