Sanjana lifted three bronze medals in the women’s 77kg category as India continued their medal streak at the Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Saturday.
The 19-year-old weightlifter lifted a combined total of 220kg (96kg snatch + 124kg clean and jerk) to finish third overall. Sanjana’s efforts also earned her bronze medals in both the snatch, and clean and jerk sections. At the Asian Weightlifting Championships, separate medals are awarded for the snatch and clean and jerk disciplines in addition to the medals for the overall total.
Sanjana opened with a successful 93kg lift in the snatch. She failed to clear 96kg on her second attempt but recovered to complete the same weight with her final lift. In the clean and jerk, Sanjana successfully lifted 117kg on her opening attempt. After failing at 122kg on her second attempt, she returned to clear 124kg on her third attempt.
Two-time world champion Liao Guifang of the People’s Republic of China won the gold medal with a total lift of 265kg (118kg+147kg), while the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Kyong Ryong Kim claimed silver with 260kg (117kg+143kg).
India also came close to another podium finish in the women’s 86kg event through Vanshita Verma. Vanshita finished fourth overall with a total lift of 220kg (95kg+125kg). She placed fourth in the snatch and clean and jerk standings as well, narrowly missing out on medals in all three categories.
The hosts’ medal tally in Gandhinagar now includes podium finishes from Komal Kohar, Gyaneshwari Yadav, Ajith Narayana, Harjinder Kaur and Sanjana.
Komal, Mirabai’s replacement, wins bronze to open India’s medal tally in Gandhinagar
Komal Kohar, competing in place of injured Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu, had opened India’s account with a couple of bronze medals in the women’s 48kg event in the overall and clean and jerk sections. Gyaneshwari Yadav followed with an overall bronze and snatch silver in the women’s 53kg category, while Ajith Narayana won bronze medals in the overall and clean and jerk standings of the men’s 71kg event. Harjinder Kaur added a snatch bronze in the women’s 69kg category on Friday.
The Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 is being held in India for only the second time. New Delhi previously hosted the continental event in 1982. A 16-member Indian team is competing at the championships in Gandhinagar, which conclude on Sunday.
