India is set to send a talented team to the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2024, which will be held in Doha, Qatar from December 19-25, 2024.
A total of 24 athletes will represent India across both the junior and youth categories, with many having already shown remarkable performances on the international stage.
This championship presents an excellent opportunity for these athletes to further showcase their skills and vie for top honours.
India’s contingent comprises 15 junior athletes (9 women and 6 men) and 13 youth athletes (8 women and 5 men).
Among the athletes, Payal, Sanjana, K. Oviya, and R.P. Keerthana will be competing in both the junior and youth categories, demonstrating their versatility and depth of talent.
In the junior category, India’s athletes have been making waves internationally. Balo Yalam recently clinched a gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Suva, Fiji, in September 2024, while Bengia Tani secured a silver medal in the same event.
Maibam Martina Devi has been breaking records at the IWF Junior World Weightlifting Championships 2024, having set two senior national records in the women’s +87 kg weight category. Panchami Sonowal, the daughter of a tea seller, has become a source of inspiration for many with her dedication to the sport.
Furthermore, Valluri Ajaya Babu made history by winning gold in both the junior and senior men’s 81 kg categories at the Commonwealth Championships in Fiji.
Dhanush Loganathan, the 17-year-old from India, was the sole Indian to win a medal at the IWF Junior World Weightlifting Championships 2024. He earned a bronze in the men’s 55 kg event, solidifying his position as one of the rising stars in Indian weightlifting.
The youth category is equally promising, with athletes like Jyoshna Sabar and Preetismita Bhoi making a significant impact. Jyoshna Sabar won silver in the 40 kg event at the 2024 Youth World Weightlifting Championships, while Preetismita set a youth world record in the Clean & Jerk category, lifting 76 kg in the 40 kg weight class, winning gold in the process.
Babulal Hembrom established both a Commonwealth and national record in the 49 kg Youth Men’s category, winning gold with a lift of 114 kg at the Commonwealth Championships.
Meanwhile, Bedabrat Bharali set national records in the 73 kg Youth Men’s category, clinching gold in the same competition.
These performances add to the growing legacy of Indian weightlifting on the world stage. India’s youth athletes are not only pushing national boundaries but also challenging global standards, giving the country a new generation of talent to watch in the years to come.
As the athletes head to Doha, the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships will provide them with a critical platform to continue their rise.
For many, this will be a stepping stone towards future success at larger international competitions, including the World Championships and the Olympics.
With a mix of seasoned champions and emerging stars, India’s team is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the competition.
The 2024 Asian Championships will undoubtedly be a defining moment in the careers of these young athletes.
