Bindyarani Sorokhaibam Highlights, Commonwealth Games 2026: Weightlifter Bags Bronze In Women's 58kg Event

Bindyarani Sorokhaibam had made history by winning India's first-ever World Cup medal. She had secured a Silver medal in the clean & jerk with a lift of 113kg, along with a Bronze medal in the total with 196kg in the women's 55kg category at the 2024 IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.

Similar to many Indian weightlifters participating in these Games, Bindyarani is scheduled to compete later in the event. She has a starting weight of 85kg for the snatch, which ranks as the third highest. In comparison, Canada's Ann Sophie Taschereau will begin with 93kg, while Nigeria's Rafiatu Lawal will start at 90kg.

The 27-year-old from Imphal, Manipur, is a well-known figure among those who have been following Indian weightlifting. She is a powerhouse in the 55kg category, having secured a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and being crowned national champion in 2025, where she lifted 88kg in the snatch, setting a national record. However, she has been fluctuating between the 55kg and 58kg categories. This transition led to a significant knee injury in 2023, but she appears determined to stay in the 58kg category for the upcoming cycle. Competing against her are Nigeria's Rafiatu Lawal, who clinched gold in the 59kg category at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and Canada's Ann Sophie Tascherau, a Pan-Am silver medalist, who has the heaviest starting weight listed in this competition.

India's Bindyarani starts with 83kg and then walks in for her second lift, at 85kg. She successfully executes it in a single fluid motion. She takes the lead, although the two major competitors have yet to begin their attempts.

On her third attempt, England's Eliza Pratt successfully lifts 87kg, and Bindyarani matches this weight with her own third attempt.

Bindyarani Devi: 87kg (currently ahead of Eliza Pratt based on countback, as both lifted 87kg in this event).

We will have the Clean & Jerk soon after the snatch.

Dimitra Ioannou from Cyprus successfully completed her first clean and jerk attempt with a lift of 85kg and is now aiming for 90kg on her next try. For her second attempt, she received three green lights in her favor, indicating a successful lift.

South Africa's Anneke Burger triumphantly lifts 101kg, drawing on every ounce of her strength to achieve this feat. She is now set to attempt 103kg in her final effort. As she attempts the 103kg lift, two green lights signal her success, but the jury reviews the lift and ultimately declares it a 'no lift'. Her elbows were locked during the attempt, which is not permissible.

Bindyarani successfully lifts 110kg, however a flag is raised for the jury to assess this lift. Unfortunately, an elbow buckle during the jerk indicates that this lift is not valid.

Bindyarani attempts 116kg but cannot quite attempt it clearly. It's silver but she could end up with bronze if Lawal has one successful lift in three.

1. Rafiatu Folashade Lawal: 220 kg

2. Taschereau: 209 kg

3. Bindyarani: 199 kg

A silver medal in Birmingham has been complemented by a bronze in Glasgow, as the 27-year-old from Bindyarani Sorokhaibam successfully adapts to her new weight categories. She is now a double Commonwealth Games medalist.