140kg deadlift: Who is Keyaa who lifted over 3 times her body weight for World silver?
· Sports · Times of India, NDTV Sports
Twenty-one-year-old Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji won a silver medal in the individual deadlift event at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa. Competing in the Junior Women's 47kg category with a bodyweight of 45.70kg, Banerji successfully lifted 140kg, which is more than three times her body weight. She finished the competition with a total score of 280kg, comprising a 90kg squat, a 50kg bench press, and the 140kg deadlift, placing fifth overall in her category. France's Ines Herbaux took the gold in the deadlift event with a 165kg lift, while Ireland's Blathnaid O'Dwyer also lifted 140kg but finished behind Banerji in the standings. Banerji's performance continues a steady upward trajectory following her 257.5kg total at the 2025 national championship and 287.5kg total at the 2026 national championship.
Why it matters
Banerji's achievement brings rare mainstream attention to powerlifting in India, highlighting the growing competitiveness of Indian athletes on the international stage.
Read the original report — Times of India
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