Bindyarani Devi Wins Bronze Medal: Indian weightlifter Bindyarani Devi has won the bronze medal in the women’s 58 kg category after showing strong fighting spirit at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The 27-year-old from Manipur, despite facing challenges in his clean and jerk attempts, finished third with a total of 199 kg (87 kg snatch + 112 kg clean and jerk). This is Bindyarani’s second consecutive medal in Commonwealth Games history, having previously won a silver medal in the 55 kg category at the 2022 Birmingham Games. This is India’s fifth medal in weightlifting and sixth overall in the ongoing Commonwealth Games.

Gold to Nigeria, Silver to Canada with a record breaking performance

In the women’s 58kg event, Nigeria’s Rafiatu Folashed Laval won the gold medal in a record-breaking performance. World Championship silver medalist Laval lifted 103kg in the snatch and 126kg in the clean and jerk, totaling 229kg, a new Commonwealth and Games record. On the other hand, Ann-Sophie Taschero of Canada bagged the silver medal with a total lift of 215 kg (87 kg + 128 kg).

Bindyarani’s performance in Snatch and Clean and Jerk

Bindyarani finished fourth in the snatch round. He successfully lifted 83 kg, 85 kg and 87 kg in his three attempts respectively. She then faced England’s Eliza Pratt for the bronze medal in the clean and jerk round. Although Bindyarani lifted 110 kg in her first attempt, she was disqualified due to a technical fault (twisting her arm during the lift). But he made a brilliant comeback and lifted 112 kg in his second attempt to clinch the medal. She failed to lift 116 kg in her third attempt. In the end, Bindyarani won the bronze medal with a score of 199 kg against Pratt’s 196 kg (87 kg + 109 kg).

A journey from financial hardship to international success

Born in 1999, Bindyarani Devi hails from the same academy in Manipur where Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu trained. He gained international recognition by winning the gold medal in the 55 kg clean and jerk during the World Championships in December 2021. However, his road to success was not easy, at one point he did not even have the money to buy professional weightlifting shoes.

Mirabai considers Chanu as her role model

Bindyarani has always considered Mirabai Chanu as her role model and mentor. Recalling the early days of her career, she said that when she was new to the camp, Mirabai helped her acclimatize and teach her the nuances of training. When Mirabai realized that Bindyarani could not afford the expensive lifting shoes, she bought the shoes herself and gifted them. According to Bindyarani, this support and guidance of Mirabai has played an important role in giving her sports career a new direction.