India's Bindyarani Devi Fights Hard but Settles for Bronze in Commonwealth Games Weightlifting

Bindyarani Devi's Performance at the Commonwealth Games

Glasgow: In a commendable display of strength, India's Bindyarani Devi faced tough competition but ultimately secured a bronze medal in the women's 58kg weightlifting category at the Commonwealth Games on Monday. Despite her efforts, two failed attempts in the clean and jerk section limited her success.

Previously, Bindyarani had clinched a silver medal in the 55kg category during the 2022 Birmingham Games, and this time she achieved a total lift of 199kg (87kg in snatch and 112kg in clean and jerk), placing her third overall.

However, the gap between her and the top two competitors was quite pronounced.

Rafiatu Folashade Lawal from Nigeria dominated the event, setting new records with a Commonwealth and Games record of 103kg in the snatch, followed by another Games record of 126kg in the clean and jerk, totaling an impressive 229kg.

Canada's Ann-Sophie Taschereau took home the silver medal with a combined lift of 215kg (87kg + 128kg).

Bindyarani struggled initially in the snatch, where her successful lifts of 83kg, 85kg, and 87kg placed her fourth in the rankings.

She then entered a fierce contest for the bronze with England's Eliza Pratt, who finished fourth with a total of 196kg (87kg + 109kg).

The Manipuri lifter's first clean and jerk attempt of 110kg was disqualified after a review showed she bent and re-extended her arms during the lift.

She managed to lift 112kg on her second attempt after considerable effort but was unable to complete 116kg in her final attempt, concluding her competition with a bronze medal.

This achievement marks India's fifth medal in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games.