The 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, which began on Sunday in Ahmedabad, displayed both determination and triumph for Indian athletes. In various categories, athletes demonstrated consistency, determination, and emerging potential, as both experienced veterans and young talents made their presence felt.
On Tuesday, Bindyarani Devi, Muthupandi Raja, and Sneha Soren all earned silver medals, while 17-year-old Koyel Bar grabbed attention with her record-setting lifts in the youth category. The momentum was carried through to Wednesday, with Ajith Narayana securing a gold in the men’s 71kg, guaranteeing himself a spot at the Commonwealth Games 2026 that is expected to be held in Glasgow.
Bindyarani Devi, competing in the women’s 58kg division, lifted a combined total of 206kg (91kg snatch + 115kg clean and jerk), winning a silver. She advanced steadily through her snatch attempts of 85 kg, 88 kg, and 91 kg before managing 110 kg and 115 kg in the clean and jerk. Her final attempt at 122 kg, however, was unsuccessful.
Australia’s Kiana Elliott clinched the gold medal with a total of 212 kg (100 kg + 112 kg). For Bindyarani, the silver represents a continuation of her international pedigree. She previously won silver at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham in the 55 kg category, after having taken gold in 2019 and silver again in 2021.
In the men’s 65kg event, Muthupandi Raja delivered a spirited performance, registering 296kg (128kg + 168kg) to claim silver. The competition was extremely close, with Malaysia’s Muhamad Aznil Bin Bidin narrowly winning gold with 297kg (125kg + 172kg). The bronze went to Papua New Guinea’s Moria Baru, who finished with 292 kg.
Perhaps the standout performance of the championships so far came from teenager Koyel Bar in the women’s 53kg youth division. The 17-year-old lifted a total of 192 kg (85 kg snatch + 107 kg clean and jerk), breaking youth world records in both clean and jerk and total. Her lifts established her as one of India’s most promising prospects in international weightlifting.
In the senior 53kg category, Nigeria’s Omolola Onome Didih took gold with 197kg (90kg + 107kg), while India’s Sneha Soren earned silver with 185kg (81kg + 104kg).
On Wednesday, the spotlight moved to Ajith Narayana, who won gold in the men’s 71kg division with a total of 317kg (145kg snatch + 172kg clean and jerk). His performance not only brought India another medal but also earned him direct qualification for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Ajith began with a successful 145 kg snatch but missed his following two attempts at 148 kg and 150 kg. In the clean and jerk, he lifted 172 kg on his opening attempt to secure his lead. Though he failed at 177 kg twice, his opening lift proved enough for the title.
Nigeria’s Joseph Edidiong Umoafia, the African Games champion, settled for silver with 316 kg (146 kg + 170 kg), while Nauru’s Ezekiel Moses claimed bronze with 290 kg.
Ajith’s victory continues his strong domestic record. At the National Weightlifting Championships last year, he competed in the men’s 73kg and set a national record with a combined 318kg (140kg + 178kg).
India’s Nirupama Devi, aged 25, added another silver medal in the women’s 63 kg category. She lifted a total of 217 kg (91 kg + 126 kg), finishing behind Canada’s Maude Charron, who dominated with 230 kg (103 kg + 127 kg). Nigeria’s Ruth Imoleavo Ayodele rounded out the podium with 212 kg (95 kg + 117 kg).
Charron’s presence further raised the competition’s standard. The Canadian is an Olympic gold medallist in the 64 kg class at Tokyo 2020 and won silver in the 59 kg class at Paris 2024.
India’s campaign had begun on Monday with Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, who opened the tournament by winning gold in the women’s 48 kg division. Her victory secured direct qualification for Glasgow 2026 and set the tone for India’s squad.
