Bindyarani Devi secures historic bronze medal in the women’s 55kg event of the IWF World Cup

Commonwealth Games medalist weightlifter Bindyarani Devi won India's first-ever World Cup medal by clinching bronze in the women's 55kg weightlifting event at the IWF World Cup here on Tuesday. Competing in the non-Olympic weight category, 25-year-old Bindiarani lifted a total of 196 kg (83 and 113 kg) to win the bronze.

Also Read: Mirabai Chanu qualifies for the Paris Olympics 2024 after finishing third in the women’s 49kg Group B event

However, this Manipuri weightlifter could not perform as per expectations. She won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with a total effort of 203 kg. The Indian player could make only three valid attempts in six attempts. Her total weight effort was 38 kg less than Kang Hyon Gyong of North Korea who won the gold medal with a total lift of 234 kg (103 and 131 kg). Romania's Cambei Mihaela-Valentina, who qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 in Mirabai Chanu's 49kg weight category, won the silver medal with a personal best effort of 201kg total (91 and 110kg).

Bindyarani Devi also won a silver medal in the clean and jerk category by lifting 113 kg. At continental, World Cup and World Championships, medals are awarded separately for snatch, clean and jerk, and total weight. Despite winning a medal in the final Olympic qualifying event, Bindyarani is out of contention for the Paris Games, but she gave her best to give the country a podium finish.

Also Read: Leap Gymnastics joins hands with Maharashtra Amateur Gymnastics Association

Bindyarani Devi moved up to the 59 kg weight category included in the Paris Olympics and competed in that category at the 2022 World Championships and finished 25th. She then returned to her old 55 kg weight category in which she had won a silver medal at the Asian Championships last year. Bindyarani is currently ranked 29th in the 59kg Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR) and is out of contention as the top 10 lifters in each weight category will qualify for the Paris Games.