Glasgow, July 28: Indian weightlifter Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam added another proud chapter to her remarkable career by winning the bronze medal in the women’s 58kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Manipur athlete, saying, “Yet another medal for India in Weightlifting! Proud of Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam for winning a Bronze in the Women’s 58kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Her success is due to her hard work and determination. Wishing her the very best for the endeavours ahead.”
Bindyarani finished the competition with a 199kg total, lifting 87kg in snatch and 112kg in clean and jerk. She secured third place behind Nigeria’s Rafiatu Lawal and Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau, earning her second Commonwealth Games medal in two different weight categories.
Born on January 27, 1999, in Imphal West, Manipur, Bindyarani has consistently been among India’s finest weightlifters. She first gained international recognition by winning gold at the 2019 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Apia. She followed it with a silver medal in 2021 and a gold in clean and jerk at the 2021 World Weightlifting Championships, establishing herself as one of India’s top lifters.
At the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022, Bindyarani produced a memorable performance by lifting a personal-best 116kg in clean and jerk, setting a Commonwealth Games record and winning the silver medal with a 202kg total in the 55kg category.
Her journey was not without setbacks. A serious knee injury in 2023 disrupted her move to the newly introduced 58kg category. However, she made a strong comeback, winning the national title in 2025 and setting a national snatch record of 88kg.
Bindyarani has also enjoyed success at the domestic level. At the National Games 2022, she won gold after lifting 83kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk for a total of 194kg, further strengthening Manipur’s reputation as a powerhouse in Indian weightlifting.
Following a disappointing outing in Manama, Bahrain, in December 2024, where she narrowly missed the podium and her personal best, Bindyarani had written, “Only God knows what I feel inside.” Less than two years later, her determination and perseverance have once again earned her a place on the Commonwealth Games podium, underlining her resilience and commitment to the sport.
With another Commonwealth Games medal to her name, Bindyarani Devi continues to inspire aspiring athletes across India through her grit, perseverance, and unwavering dedication.
