India’s youth weightlifters have set their sights on qualifying for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 after a stellar performance at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2024, held in Doha from December 19-25. The Indian team brought home a total of 33 medals, including 21 from the youth category and 12 from the junior category, showcasing the nation’s growing strength in the sport.
Stellar Performance in Doha
The youth lifters (aged 13-17) bagged seven gold medals out of their 21-medal haul, while the junior lifters (aged 15-20) contributed significantly with 12 medals. Among the top performers was 16-year-old Jyoshna Sabar from Uttar Pradesh, who set an Asian record in the women’s youth 40kg category by lifting a combined total of 135 kg.
National coach Vijay Sharma, who also mentors Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu, praised the team’s efforts, stating that the performance in Doha signals a “bright future for Indian weightlifting.” He emphasized the potential of Indian women to excel on the international stage.
Khelo India’s Role in Shaping Talent
A majority of the team—22 out of the 24 athletes—are products of the Khelo India program, a government initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing grassroots talent. These athletes train at the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centres of Excellence in Patiala, Imphal, and Aurangabad.
Alakesh Baruah, High-Performance Manager for Weightlifting at NIS Patiala, highlighted the importance of these centers, stating, “The presence of so many youth athletes ensures a strong pipeline for future senior and junior competitions. The medals in Doha are the result of a long-term process supported by SAI and the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF).”
Preparing for Glasgow 2026
The next challenge for these young athletes is to secure qualification for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, to be held in Ahmedabad in 2025, will serve as the qualifying event. Silver medalist Maibam Martina Devi, who competed in the women’s junior +87kg category, shared her plans, saying, “I’m focused on performing well in the upcoming trials and the National Games in Uttarakhand.”
Rising Stars in Weightlifting
Youth lifter Sairaj Pardeshi from Maharashtra created a national record in the men’s 81kg category with a total lift of 310 kg (139kg snatch + 171kg clean and jerk). Reflecting on his journey, Sairaj attributed his success to the structured training at SAI centers and the financial support provided through the Khelo India scheme.
“The support I’ve received—from coaching to diet and discipline—has been invaluable,” said Sairaj. “I narrowly missed a medal at the 2024 Youth World Championships but am thrilled to win gold on my Asian debut.”
Medal Winners
Junior Category
- Sanjana: 2 Silvers (Clean & Jerk, Total)
- Nilam Devi: 3 Silvers (Snatch, Clean & Jerk, Total)
- Maibam Martina Devi: 2 Silvers (Clean & Jerk, Total), 1 Bronze (Snatch)
- Valluri Ajaya Babu: 1 Silver (Snatch)
- Payal: 2 Bronzes (Clean & Jerk, Total)
- Shankar Lapung: 1 Bronze (Total)
Youth Category
- Jyoshna Sabar: 3 Golds (Snatch, Clean & Jerk, Total)
- Payal: 2 Golds (Snatch, Total), 1 Bronze (Clean & Jerk)
- Koyel Bar: 1 Gold (Clean & Jerk), 1 Silver (Total), 1 Bronze (Snatch)
- Sairaj Pardeshi: 1 Gold (Total), 2 Silvers (Snatch, Clean & Jerk)
- Preetismita Bhoi: 1 Silver (Clean & Jerk)
- Sanjana: 3 Silvers (Snatch, Clean & Jerk, Total)
- K Oviya: 1 Silver (Clean & Jerk)
- Babulal Hembrom: 1 Bronze (Total)
- Asmita Dhone: 1 Bronze (Clean & Jerk)
- Parv Chaudhary: 2 Bronzes (Clean & Jerk, Total)
India’s youth weightlifters have demonstrated exceptional talent and determination, positioning themselves as strong contenders for future international competitions. With continued support and rigorous preparation, they are ready to take on greater challenges and bring more glory to the nation.
