Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025: India’s New Flight, Koyal Bar Creates History – Three Silver and One Gold Shine for the Tricolor
At the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025, Indian lifters delivered a powerful performance, making the world take notice of their strength. In this prestigious tournament being held in Ahmedabad, Indian athletes secured a total of three silver medals and one gold. The biggest highlight came from 17-year-old rising star Koyal Bar, who broke the Youth World Record and claimed gold for India.
Koyal Bar – The 17-Year-Old ‘Golden Girl’ Who Shocked the World
India’s new weightlifting sensation, Koyal Bar, created history in the women’s 53kg youth category with a record-breaking performance. She lifted a total of 192kg (85kg Snatch + 107kg Clean & Jerk) to set a new Youth World Record.
- Snatch: 85kg
- Clean & Jerk: 107kg
- Total: 192kg (New Record)
Her lift was so impressive that she outperformed India’s senior lifter Sneha Soren, who won silver in the same weight category at the senior level. With this, Koyal not only clinched the gold in the youth category but also bagged the title in the junior division.
Koyal Bar’s achievement proves that a new generation of lifters in India is ready to take on the world, and she is a promising contender for future World Championships and even the Olympics.
Bindyarani Devi – A Blend of Experience and Strength
In the women’s 58kg category, India’s experienced lifter Bindyarani Devi showcased her class once again, bagging the silver medal. She lifted a total of 206kg (91kg Snatch + 115kg Clean & Jerk).
- Snatch: 91kg
- Clean & Jerk: 115kg
- Total: 206kg
Bindyarani attempted 122kg in her final clean & jerk attempt but failed, missing out on the gold. Still, her performance was commendable. The gold in this category went to Kiana Elliott of Australia, who lifted 212kg (100kg + 112kg).
Bindyarani has been a consistent performer for India—she won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, was crowned Commonwealth Champion in 2019, and secured another silver in 2021. Her experience continues to be an asset for the Indian team.
Muthupandi Raja – Just One Step Away from Gold
In the men’s 65kg category, Muthupandi Raja narrowly missed out on gold by just one kilogram. He lifted a total of 296kg (128kg Snatch + 168kg Clean & Jerk).
- Snatch: 128kg
- Clean & Jerk: 168kg
- Total: 296kg
The gold was taken by Mohammad Aniq Bin Bidin of Malaysia, who lifted 297kg (125kg + 172kg). Meanwhile, Morea Baru of Papua New Guinea claimed bronze with 292kg (127kg + 165kg).
Though Raja missed gold by a whisker, his performance highlighted that Indian male lifters are matching the best at the Commonwealth and Asian level.
Sneha Soren – A Steady Performer Shining Bright
In the women’s 53kg senior category, Sneha Soren lifted a total of 185kg (81kg + 104kg) to win silver for India.
- Snatch: 81kg
- Clean & Jerk: 104kg
- Total: 185kg
The gold in this category went to Omolola Onome Dudih of Nigeria, who lifted 197kg (90kg + 107kg).
Sneha’s performance once again underlined the depth of Indian women’s weightlifting. While she missed the top spot, her consistency and dedication show great promise for the future.
Why Is This Victory Special for India?
- Power of the New Generation – Rising stars like Koyal Bar are building a strong foundation for the future.
- Experience Meets Consistency – Lifters like Bindyarani Devi and Sneha Soren continue to bring medals regularly.
- Close Contests Show Strength – Raja’s narrow miss by just 1kg proves Indian lifters are competing neck-to-neck with international champions.
- India’s Growing Might – With four medals in total, including a gold and three silvers, India has firmly established itself as a Commonwealth weightlifting powerhouse.
Why Koyal Bar’s Record Is a Milestone
- World Record at 17: Achieving such a feat at such a young age is rare and inspiring.
- Outperforming Senior Lifters: She lifted more than senior medalists, showing India’s next generation is already surpassing veterans.
- A Future Olympic Hope: With proper training and support, she could very well become India’s future Olympic medalist in weightlifting.
Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025 – A Matter of Pride
This championship proved that India is no longer confined to traditional sports but is now making a strong mark in power sports like weightlifting.
- Total Medals: 4 (1 Gold + 3 Silver)
- Biggest Highlight: Koyal Bar’s Youth World Record
- Balance of Youth and Experience: Bindyarani Devi, Sneha Soren, and Muthupandi Raja’s consistent performances
The Road Ahead – The Future of Indian Weightlifting
- Olympic Preparation – These results show India is capable of winning medals at the Olympic level.
- Focus on Youth Talent – Providing advanced facilities and training to lifters like Koyal Bar will make them world champions.
- Leverage Experience – Senior athletes like Bindyarani Devi will continue to mentor and inspire the next generation.
- Global Confidence – Narrow misses like Raja’s 1kg gap show that India is only a small step away from global dominance.
Conclusion
At the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025, India delivered an outstanding performance. Koyal Bar’s golden success and world record, along with the silver medals from Bindyarani Devi, Muthupandi Raja, and Sneha Soren, showcase India’s strength and potential in weightlifting.
This victory not only boosts India’s medal tally but also signals the beginning of a new era—where India is on its way to becoming a superpower in world weightlifting.
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