Bindyarani Devi, a notable medallist in the Commonwealth Games, displayed her prowess once again at the IWF World Cup, clinching the bronze medal in the women’s 55kg event. Despite her commendable achievement, the realisation dawned upon her that she would not be vying for a spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics, casting a shadow over her triumph.
Competing in a challenging field, the 25-year-old Manipuri weightlifter lifted a total of 196 kg, securing the third position on the podium with an impressive performance of 83kg in snatch and 113 kg in clean and jerk. However, her transition to the 59 kg weight class proved to be a hurdle in her Olympic aspirations.
While her performance at the IWF World Cup showcased her strength and determination, it fell short compared to her stellar showing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she clinched a silver medal with a total effort of 203 kg.
Bindyarani encountered numerous obstructions during her participation in the IWF World Cup, managing to execute only three successful lifts out of the scheduled six attempts. Her total lift was drastically lower than that of the gold medallist, Kang Hyon Gyong from North Korea, who set the pace with a remarkable effort of 234 kg. Romania’s Cambă Mihaela-Valentina secured the silver with a strong performance, lifting a total of 201 kg.
However, despite securing the silver medal in clean and jerk with a lift of 113 kg, Bindyarani’s performance fell short of qualifying her for the Paris Olympics. Her decision to return to the 55 kg weight class, where she previously won a silver medal at the Asian Championship, reflected her determination to compete at the highest level.
Her ranking in the 59 kg Olympic Qualification Ranking currently stands at 29th. After finishing third with a lift of 196 kg at the 2022 World Championships, she initially shifted to the 59 kg weight class, where she placed 25th.
