Weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav secured India’s fourth weightlifting medal at the Commonwealth Games, claiming silver in the women’s 53kg competition in Glasgow on Monday. The 23-year-old from Bhondiya village in Chhattisgarh achieved a total of 199kg, comprising 88kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk, but was outdone by Nigeria’s Onome Omolola Didih, who set new Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games records with a total of 206kg.
Gyaneshwari equalled her personal best in the snatch and set new personal bests in the clean and jerk and total. The Indian weightlifter expressed her happiness, stating that she had given her personal best and was satisfied with her performance. Gyaneshwari’s achievement was inspired by Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, who had competed in the 49kg weight class.
Gyaneshwari’s journey to success was built on her father’s unfulfilled sporting dream. Deepak Yadav, who had once aspired to become a bodybuilder, ensured that his daughter never had to abandon her passion for weightlifting due to financial hardship. Gyaneshwari initially took up powerlifting before switching to Olympic weightlifting, with her father’s support. The family faced difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Deepak Yadav’s determination and support helped Gyaneshwari achieve her goals.
The women’s 53kg competition was a closely contested duel between Gyaneshwari and Didih, with both lifters trading blows and setting new Games records. Gyaneshwari’s performance was marked by elegance and composure, but Didih ultimately emerged victorious, claiming the gold medal. Gyaneshwari’s silver medal was India’s fifth overall at the Games.
Gyaneshwari’s success has come from a state where weightlifting is not a mainstream sport. She admitted that she was unsure whether she had chosen the right path until winning a medal at the 2022 Junior World Championships, which gave her the belief that she could succeed in the sport.
