Bindyarani Devi: All You Need To Know About The First Indian To Win Bronze Medal At IWF World Cup 2024

Indian weightlifter Bindyarani Devi, hailing from Manipur, showcased remarkable strength and determination as she clinched a bronze medal at the IWF World Cup 2024 in Phuket, Thailand on Tuesday. This victory marks a significant milestone as Bindyarani becomes the first Indian to secure a medal in the women’s 55kg event at the prestigious IWF Weightlifting World Cup, as per a report by Zee News.

Renowned for her outstanding performance at the Commonwealth Games, where she earned the silver medal, Bindyarani delivered an impressive performance despite competing in a non-Olympic weight class.

Who Is Bindyarani Devi?

Born in 1999, Bindyarani Devi swiftly ascended to prominence in the weightlifting world, securing a World Championship gold medal in December 2021 in the clean and jerk segment of the 55kg category. Along her path to victory, she triumphed over Ham Eun-ji, the Tokyo Olympic Test event champion.

Inspired by the achievements of Chanu Saikhom Mirabai, the Tokyo Olympic silver medallist, Bindyarani admired Mirabai and trained at the same Sports Academy in Manipur. However, the season concluded on a disappointing note when she faced defeat against Nigeria’s Adijat Olarinoye in the gold medal showdown at the Commonwealth Championships in Tashkent. This loss was unexpected, particularly considering her previous triumph in the same category at the tournament in Samoa in 2019.

Bindyarani Devi has long been an admirer of Mirabai Chanu, affectionately referring to her as ‘Mira di.’ Bindyarani credits Mirabai as a guiding force throughout her career and acknowledges her invaluable support. In a statement made after winning the silver medal last year, Bindyarani expressed her gratitude, saying, "Mira di has been very important to my success. She is always there to help me with my technique and training."

Don't Miss:Who Is Sheetal Devi? Lesser Known Facts About The World's First Armless Archer

Bindyarani also recalled a significant gesture from Mirabai, stating as per Firstpost, "When I was new at the camp, she also ensured I settle down easy. Di knew I didn’t have the money to buy the lifting shoes but she didn’t think twice before gifting me those shoes." Bindyarani further praised Mirabai's humility, saying, "She was always an inspiration and her down-to-earth behaviour made me her bigger fan." These words reflect the deep respect and admiration Bindyarani holds for Mirabai Chanu.

Don't Miss:Mallika Sagar: All You Need To Know About The First Female Auctioneer Of IPL Auctions

Bindyarani Devi Becomes First Indian To Win A Medal At The IWF Weightlifting World Cup

Amidst the frenzy of the ongoing IPL (IPL 2024), weightlifter Bindyarani Devi captivated attention by clinching the bronze medal in the fiercely contested women's 55kg event at the prestigious IWF World Cup.

Renowned for her remarkable performance at the Commonwealth Games, where she secured the silver medal, Bindyarani displayed commendable prowess despite competing in a non-Olympic weight class. With sheer determination and strength, she achieved an impressive total lift of 196kg (83kg in snatch and 113kg in clean and jerk), securing her well-deserved place on the podium.

In the earlier segment of the competition, she lifted 83 kg in snatch, securing a sixth-place finish overall. Notably, her expertise shone brightest in the clean and jerk category, where she excelled with a notable lift of 113kg, earning her the silver medal in that segment.

Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.

Credits: Instagram