Bindyarani Devi Shifts Focus to Asian Games After Commonwealth Bronze
Bindyarani Devi's Journey to Success
Glasgow [Scotland], July 28: Following her impressive bronze medal achievement at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Indian weightlifter Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam is now setting her sights on the upcoming Asian Games. She expressed gratitude towards her family, coach, and the Weightlifting Federation of India for their unwavering support throughout her journey.
In a media interaction after clinching bronze in the women's 58kg category, the 27-year-old from Manipur shared, “Winning this medal for my country feels amazing. I am determined to perform my best at the Asian Games as well. Prior to this event, we trained in Birmingham for a month, and the federation has been incredibly supportive, along with my coach who has assisted me in every aspect, from training to nutrition. This medal is dedicated to my family, especially my mother, father, brother, sister, and foremost to my coach, as they have all been my pillars of strength. My parents have been praying for my success since yesterday.”
Bindyarani showcased her skills to secure her second medal at the Commonwealth Games, finishing behind Nigeria's Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, who set a Games record with a total lift of 229kg, and Canada's Ann Sophie Taschereau, who earned silver with 215kg.
She began the snatch with a strategic approach, as her coaching team adjusted her opening lift from 85kg to 83kg. She successfully lifted 83kg, followed by 85kg and 87kg, tying with England's Eliza Pratt but securing a higher position based on countback.
In the clean and jerk, her first attempt at 110kg was deemed a no-lift after a jury review due to an elbow buckle. However, she rebounded strongly, lifting 112kg on her second attempt, bringing her total to 199kg and temporarily placing her in silver medal contention.
She aimed for a personal best with a 116kg attempt but was unable to complete the lift. Nevertheless, her total of 199kg was sufficient to earn her the bronze medal.
This podium finish in Glasgow marks Bindyarani's second Commonwealth Games medal, 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 transition between the 55kg and 58kg weight classes.
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.
India's medal winners in Glasgow include Mirabai Chanu (gold, weightlifting), Rishikanta Singh (silver, weightlifting), Muthupandi Raja (silver, weightlifting), Gyaneshwari Yadav (silver, weightlifting), Bindyarani Devi (bronze, weightlifting), and Jhandu Kumar (bronze, para powerlifting).