Lifter Bindyarani Devi finishes the World Cup with bronze

Weightlifter Bindyarani Devi, a Commonwealth Games winner, won bronze in the women’s 55kg division at today’s IWF World Cup.

The 25-year-old placed third in a non-Olympic division by lifting a total of 196 kg (83 kg + 113 kg).

The Manipuri lifter, who had won the CWG silver in Birmingham in 2022 with a total effort of 203kg, put up a lackluster performance, nonetheless.

In her six tries, she was able to complete three legal lifts, and her total weight was 38 kg lower than that of North Korean competitor Kang Hyon Gyong, who took home the gold for her 234 kg (103 kg + 131 kg) effort.

Mihaela Valentina Cambei of Romania won silver in the Mirabai Chanu 49kg division, qualifying for the Olympics in Paris. Her personal best was 201kg (91kg+110kg).

In the clean and jerk category, Bindyarani won the silver medal as well for her 113 kg lift. In continental, world cup, and world championship competitions, medals are given out individually for snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift.

Bindyarani won a medal in the last Olympic qualifying event, although she is not in the running for the Games in Paris.

She advanced to the 59 kg class that is used in the Olympics in Paris and participated in the 2022 World Championships, placing 25th in that division. However, she returned to her previous 55kg class, where she placed second in the Asian Championships the previous year.

As the top 10 lifters in each class will qualify for the Games, she is now rated 29th in the 59kg Olympics qualifying ranking (OQR) and is so eliminated from consideration.