India is gearing up to host the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar from May 11 to 17. This will mark the return of the prestigious continental event to India after more than four decades – to be precise, 44 years.
The event is coming to India at a time when Indian weightlifters are focusing on gaining momentum in order to secure qualification for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, both scheduled to be held later this year.
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The Asian Championships will give Indian lifters a chance to test themselves against Asia’s top names ahead of the Olympic qualification cycle, beginning on July 27, 2026 and ending on May 7, 2028.
The event, originally scheduled for April 1–10, was postponed due to the US–Israel war against Iran, which resulted in large-scale tension in the Middle East.
180 weightlifters from 30 countries, including guest countries Australia and New Zealand, will participate in this year’s event. Lifters will aim to put up solid performances as CWG and Asian Games qualification is at stake.
Among the biggest names set to compete at the Championships is Liu Huanhua of China, the reigning Olympic champion and the 2023 world champion. Joining him will be Fares Ibrahim El-Bakh of Qatar, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics champion.
The women’s field is equally strong. Park Hye-jeong, the 2025 world champion and the 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist, will lead South Korea’s charge, while North Korea arrives with formidable pedigree, with their world champions Kang Hyon Gyong and Ri Suk promising close competition at the event.
Among other notable entries are Paris Olympics medalist Gor Minasyan and decorated Chinese world champions Liao Guifang and Guan Chen-ling.
As always, China enters as the dominant force. At the 2025 edition held in Jiangshan, China, the Chinese contingent topped the medal standings with a staggering 31 gold medals, once again reinforcing their depth and technical supremacy.
Besides China, traditional Asian powerhouses such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran and North Korea are also expected to mount strong challenges.
Host India hopeful of solid show
After a forgettable campaign at the previous edition, India will hope for an improved show at home. At the last Championships in Jiangshan, only two Indian weightlifters – Nirupama Devi and Dilbag Singh – represented the country, and both missed the podium.
Star weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, will miss the event due to injury, said Indian Weightlifting Federation president Sahdev Yadav. This will be the second consecutive time that Mirabai has missed the Championships.
This time, at home, India is entering the event with renewed vigor and a strong squad. India’s 16-member squad is the joint largest alongside China and Sri Lanka. Chinese Taipei follows closely with 15 lifters.
Given the familiarity with the conditions, Indian weightlifters are expected to put up a noteworthy performance.
Indian weightlifters to watch out for at the Asian Championships:
Bindyarani Devi – One of India’s most consistent performers in recent years, Bindyarani, a Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships silver medalist, has repeatedly shown her ability to stay composed under pressure, particularly in clean and jerk events where she often produces clutch lifts. Competing at home could provide the emotional lift she needs to challenge for a podium finish.
Ajith Narayan – Ajith Narayana has quietly emerged as one of India’s strongest medal contenders. Known for his technical efficiency and calm temperament, Ajith has qualified for the Commonwealth Games 2026 after he won the gold medal in the 71kg category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in August 2025. He is key to India’s success in the men’s competition. A strong performance here would make him a strong contender for a CWG medal.
Nirupama Devi – After enduring disappointment in Jiangshan last year, Nirupama returns with an opportunity for redemption. Competing on home soil may help her rediscover confidence, especially against elite Asian opposition. Her resilience and experience make her one of the more emotionally compelling stories in the Indian squad.
In February this year, Nirupama scripted clean and jerk and total national records on her way to win the elite women’s 63kg crown with an aggregate of 221kg at the National weightlifting championships in Modinagar.
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Lovepreet Singh – Lovepreet Singh has steadily built a reputation for delivering strong performances in domestic competitions. Last year, he finished eighth in the men’s 110kg+ category at the World Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Norway. The Asian Championships now provide him with a platform to test himself against the continent’s elite and potentially announce himself on the international stage.
Badabarat Bharali – One of the promising names in the Indian contingent, Bedabarat Bharali of Assam represents the next generation of Indian weightlifting talent. In February this year, Bedabarat won gold in Junior, Senior and Inter-State National Weightlifting Championship with multiple national records in junior section. He took part in the 79 kg weight category. For younger athletes like him, competing alongside Olympic champions could become a defining learning experience that shapes future success.
Weight categories and format
The competition will be held across eight weight categories each for men and women.
Men’s categories: 60kg, 65kg, 71kg, 79kg, 88kg, 98kg, 110kg, +110kg
Women’s categories: 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, +86kg
Athletes will compete in both snatch and clean & jerk events.
India squad for Asian Weightlifting Championships:
Women: Komal Kohar – 48kg, Gyaneshwari Yadav – 53kg, Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam – 58kg, Nirupama Devi Seram – 63kg, Harjinder Kaur – 69kg, Sanjana – 77kg, Vanshita Verma – 86kg, Martina Devi Maibam – +86kg.
Men: Rishikanta Singh Chanambam – 60kg, Raja Muthupandi – 65kg, Ajith Narayana – 71kg, Bedabrat Bharali – 79kg, Abhishek Suresh Nippane – 88kg, Parv Choudhary – 94kg, Harcharan Singh – 110kg, Lovepreet Singh – +110kg.
Full schedule:
May 10 – AWF Congress and Opening Ceremony
May 11 to 17 – Competition Days
Where to watch the Asian Weightlifting Championships?
The championship will be broadcast live on DD Sports, Prasar Bharati Sports, WavesOTT, and the Weightlifting House channel.
