Indian weightlifter Bindyarani Devi has brought home a silver medal from the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Jinju on Saturday. Devi competed in the women's 55kg category and lifted a total of 194kg to secure her spot on the podium.
Born and raised in a small village in Manipur, Bindyarani covered up her underwhelming snatch performance by lifting the second highest weight in clean and jerk to take home the silver in the section. She lifted 80kg and 83kg in her first two snatch attempts with relative ease but her 85kg try was deemed a no lift. China, North Korea, and Kazakhstan traditionally dominate he sport, but India has been making steady progress in recent years.
The 24-year-old switched back to her original 55kg weight division for this event due to an injury she had sustained ahead of the selection trials. Bindyarani had moved to the 59kg weight class that features in the Paris Olympics, during last year's World Championships, where she finished 25th.
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Devi's impressive Asian Weightlifting Championships performance is a testament to her dedication and hard work, as she had to overcome numerous obstacles to get to where she is today. India has a vast pool of talent in various sports, but many young athletes are unable to realize their full potential due to a lack of resources and support. By investing in sports and providing opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, India can nurture a new generation of champions and boost the country's standing in the international sporting arena.