Commonwealth Games 2026: Bindyarani Devi wins bronze in women's 58kg weightlifting
India's Bindyarani Devi secured a bronze medal in the women's 58kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games on Monday, overcoming a difficult clean and jerk phase to earn India's fifth medal in the sport at the ongoing Games.
The Manipur lifter finished with a combined total of 199kg, lifting 87kg in the snatch and 112kg in the clean and jerk. While she returned to the Commonwealth Games podium after winning silver in Birmingham in 2022, she finished well behind gold medallist Rafiatu Folashade Lawal of Nigeria and Canada's Ann-Sophie Taschereau.
Lawal produced one of the standout performances of the competition, setting a Commonwealth record and Games record of 103kg in the snatch before breaking the Games record in the clean and jerk with 126kg. Her combined total of 229kg comfortably secured the gold medal.
Canada's Taschereau claimed silver with a total lift of 215kg, made up of 87kg in the snatch and 128kg in the clean and jerk.
Bindyarani recovers after slow start
Bindyarani faced an uphill task after the snatch section despite successfully completing lifts of 83kg, 85kg and 87kg. She ended the opening discipline in fourth place and entered the clean and jerk trailing the leading contenders.
Her battle soon shifted to securing a podium finish as she competed closely with England's Eliza Pratt, who ultimately placed fourth with an aggregate of 196kg.
The Indian lifter appeared to open strongly in the clean and jerk with a successful 110kg effort. However, the lift was overturned following a jury review after officials ruled that she had bent and re-extended her arms during the movement, making the attempt invalid.
Needing to respond under pressure, Bindyarani successfully lifted 112kg on her second attempt after another determined effort to stay in medal contention.
She then attempted 116kg in her final lift but was unable to complete it, finishing with a total of 199kg, enough to secure the bronze medal.
With PTI inputs