Modinagar (UP), Feb 4 (UNI) The IWLF National Youth, Junior, and Senior Weightlifting Championships 2025-26 officially commenced with a grand opening ceremony on February 3, 2026.
About 790 athletes from 30 States and U.T.s. and 3 Departmental Boards have entered in the National Championships at Modinagar for a 12 day mega national sports saga.
The opening session on the first day saw competitive action and featured a thrilling battle in the Women’s 44 kg Youth category.
The competitive spirit was on full display at Yadav Farm House today during the Women’s 44 kg Youth category of the IWLF National Youth, Junior, and Senior Weightlifting Championships. The event saw a
thrilling battle for the podium, with athletes from across the country showcasing incredible strength and technique.
Mirabai Chanu’s smashed 3 new national records today with a best lift of 89 kg in snatch, 116 kg in Clean & Jerk and 205 kg in total.
Following a rejig of Olympic weight classes, Mirabai moved from the 49 kg division back to the 48 kg category in 2025. At the recent World Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Forde, Norway, she won a silver medal with a total lift of 199 kg (84 kg Snatch 115 kg Clean & Jerk).
Competing at the Yadav Farm House in Modinagar, Chanu represented Manipur (MNP) with a flawless series of lifts that left the competition far behind.
While S. Mirabai Chanu dominated the headlines with her triple record-breaking performance, the podium was rounded out by two of India’s most resilient lifters, Radha Soni and Komal Kohar, who displayed immense composure to secure silver and bronze respectively.
Radha Soni (AIPSCB) – Silver Medalist
Representing the All India Police Sports Control Board (AIPSCB), Radha Soni delivered a consistent performance to claim the second spot overall:
Snatch: Soni successfully lifted 79 kg on her third attempt, placing her third in this segment.
Clean & Jerk: She surged ahead in the second half of the competition, successfully lifting 104 kg.
Total: With a combined total of 183 kg, Soni secured the silver medal, maintaining a slim 1 kg lead over the third-place finisher.
Komal Kohar (RSPB) – Bronze Medalist
Komal Kohar, competing for the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), a powerhouse in Indian weightlifting, fought a close battle to take home the bronze:
Snatch: Kohar matched Soni’s best lift with a successful 79 kg attempt, though she was ranked fourth in the snatch segment.
Clean & Jerk: She registered a strong 103 kg lift on her second attempt.
Total: Kohar finished with a total of 182 kg, earning her the bronze medal.
The Podium Finishers in Junior section
The competition saw a tight battle for the silver and bronze spots, with the top three athletes separated by only eight kilograms in their total lifts:
Gold: Vani Puri (PUN)- Puri claimed the top spot on the podium with a commanding Total lift of 174 kg. She led the field in the Snatch with a best effort of 78 kg and solidified her victory with a 96 kg Clean & Jerk.
Silver: Mansi Chamunda (U.P.) – Representing the host state, Chamunda secured the silver medal with a Total of 169 kg. Her performance included a 76 kg Snatch and a 93 kg Clean & Jerk.
Bronze: Priteesmita Bhoi (ORS)- Bhoi rounded out the podium for Odisha, finishing with a Total of 166 kg. Despite a fourth-place finish in the Snatch (72 kg), she surged ahead with a powerful 94 kg Clean & Jerk to claim the bronze.
The 48 kg Junior Women’s session featured 19 classified finishers from across India, including strong representations from Maharashtra, SSCB, and Rajasthan. Vani Puri’s victory marks a significant achievement for Punjab weightlifting on the national stage as the championships
Whereas Women’s Youth 48 kg division. Pungni Tara, representing SSCB, secured the top spot on the podium after a commanding performance in the Clean & Jerk.
The gold medal battle was decided in the latter half of the session. While Annu Kumari (RAJ) led the field in the Snatch segment with a top lift of 70 kg, Pungni Tara (SSCB) proved unstoppable in the Clean & Jerk. Tara successfully lifted 90 kg to clinch the overall gold with a total of 158 kg.
Reddy Bhavani (A.P.) displayed remarkable consistency, securing the silver medal with a total of 155 kg after successful lifts of 67 kg and 88 kg. Despite leading early, Annu Kumari took home the bronze with a total of 154 kg.
Podium Finishers: Women’s 44 kg Youth
GOLD: Parishmita Gogoi (SSCB)
Parishmita Gogoi claimed the top spot on the podium with a commanding total lift of 137 kg. Representing the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Gogoi displayed remarkable consistency. She secured a gold medal in the Snatch category with a best lift of 63 kg and followed it up with a strong 74 kg in the Clean & Jerk.
Silver: Titli Maji (West Bengal)
The silver medal was awarded to Titli Maji of West Bengal, who finished with a total of 133 kg. Maji put on a spectacular performance in the Clean & Jerk, lifting 74 kg to secure the 1st rank in that specific discipline. Her best Snatch of 59 kg combined with her Jerk performance allowed her to edge out the competition for the overall second-place finish.
Bronze: Netra Thorat (Maharashtra)
Rounding out the podium was Netra Thorat of Maharashtra, who also achieved a total of 133 kg. Despite having the same total as the silver medalist, Thorat took home the bronze based on the competition’s ranking criteria. She performed exceptionally well in the Snatch, lifting 60 kg (3rd rank), and matched it with a 73 kg effort in the Clean & Jerk.
Result sheets of the 44 kg and 48 kg groups are attached separately.
The IWLF National Championships continue through February 14, 2026, featuring the brightest talent in Indian weightlifting.
