Bindyarani Devi's Bronze Medal Triumph at Commonwealth Games Surprises Family

A Surprising Victory for Bindyarani

The recent bronze medal achievement of Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam at the 2026 Commonwealth Games took her family by surprise. Her mother expressed that they had not anticipated such a podium finish after Bindyarani transitioned to the 58kg weight category.

In a conversation with a news outlet, Sorokhaibam Ongbi Ibemcha, Bindyarani's mother, shared their joy over her daughter's accomplishment, especially considering the challenges she faced. "Winning this bronze medal brings me immense happiness. We never expected to win a medal. Initially, when she secured silver, we were quite naive about sports. We only knew she was competing. This time, we were more informed about her participation," she remarked.

Overcoming Challenges

Ibemcha noted that the shift to a higher weight category had lowered their expectations for a medal. However, Bindyarani's dedication led her to clinch the bronze. "We had little hope for a medal since moving up by 1 kg was significant, and an additional 5 kg further diminished our expectations. Yet, her hard work paid off, and I view this bronze as a remarkable achievement," she stated.

Expressing her pride in her daughter's performance, Ibemcha emphasized that the medal reflects Bindyarani's determination and resilience. "I feel fulfilled knowing she ranked third among numerous competitors. Even though she finished third, I am thrilled she made it. I am profoundly thankful for this victory, which showcases her tenacity and hard work," she added.

Potential for Gold

Ibemcha also conveyed her belief that Bindyarani could have contended for gold had she competed in her original weight class. "Despite her efforts and training, luck was not on her side. As a mother, I believe that had she participated in the 53 kg category, she could have secured a gold medal. I recognize her willpower and determination," she explained.

She further mentioned that the family felt more content with this bronze than with Bindyarani's previous silver medal, as they entered the competition without any expectations. "Initially, we thought her luck was against her due to the weight increase. However, her dedication led to our satisfaction and happiness. We felt more fulfilled than when she achieved second place previously, viewing it as a sign of divine favor," she concluded.

A Strong Performance at the Games

Bindyarani showcased a strong performance to earn her second Commonwealth Games medal, finishing behind Nigeria's Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, who set a Games record with a total of 229kg, and Canada's Ann Sophie Taschereau, who secured silver with 215kg.

The Indian lifter began her snatch attempts with a composed approach after her coaches adjusted her opening lift from 85kg to 83kg. She successfully lifted 83kg, followed by 85kg and 87kg, tying with England's Eliza Pratt but advancing on countback.

In the clean and jerk segment, her first attempt at 110kg was ruled a no-lift due to an elbow buckle. However, she rebounded strongly, lifting 112kg on her second attempt, bringing her total to 199kg and briefly placing her in silver medal contention. She attempted 116kg for a personal best but was unable to complete the lift. Nevertheless, her total of 199kg secured her the bronze medal.

Significance of the Achievement

This podium finish marks Bindyarani's second medal at the Commonwealth Games, following her silver at the Birmingham 2022 Games. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it comes after her recovery from a knee injury in 2023 and her adaptation to competing in both the 55kg and 58kg weight categories.

With Bindyarani's bronze, India's medal tally at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games has reached six, including one in para powerlifting. To date, India has secured one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.