Who is Bindyarani Devi? Manipur Weightlifter wins Commonwealth Bronze in Women’s 58 Kg

Bindyarani Devi has scripted history with a Bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in the Women’s 58kg weightlifting competition on Monday.

Who is Bindyarani Devi?

Bindyarani Devi has emerged as one of India’s leading weightlifters, establishing herself as a consistent medal contender on the international stage. Hailing from Imphal East in Manipur, the 27-year-old has steadily risen through the ranks to become one of India’s brightest hopes in weightlifting.

Inspired by the rich weightlifting culture of Manipur, Bindyarani overcame limited training facilities and stiff domestic competition to earn a place in India’s national camp. Her dedication paid off as she began making an impact in national competitions before breaking through internationally.

Her biggest career milestone came at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she clinched the silver medal in the women’s 55kg event with a total lift of 202kg (86kg Snatch and 116kg Clean & Jerk).

Before becoming one of India’s top weightlifters, Bindyarani Devi trained in Taekwondo and also played football in Manipur. It was only in 2013, at the age of 14, that coaches recognised her natural strength and encouraged her to take up weightlifting. Raised in a humble family where her father ran a small grocery shop, she often trained in borrowed weightlifting shoes due to financial constraints.

Her perseverance paid off spectacularly when she made history at the 2024 IWF World Cup in Phuket, becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win a medal at an IWF World Cup, adding another landmark achievement to her growing international career.

Bindyarani Devi wins Bronze at CWG 2026

Bindyarani Devi won the Bronze Medal in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, with a combined lift of 199kg. She lifted 87kh in the Snatch and then 112kg in Clean and Jerk.