Glasgow, July 2026: Indian weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav won the silver medal in the Women’s 53 kg final on her maiden Commonwealth Games appearance on Monday (July 27).
She arrived at the Commonwealth Games in impressive form, having already enjoyed success on the international stage. The gold medal went to African champion Onome Didih of Nigeria, who set a Commonwealth Games record in the snatch (93 kg) and the clean and jerk (113 kg) individually.
The 23-year-old from Bhondiya village in Chhattisgarh totalled 199 kg (88kg snatch + 111kg clean and jerk) but Nigeria’s Onome Omolola Didih stole the show with a stunning 206 kg (93kg + 113kg), rewriting both the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games records to take the gold.
However, it would be unfair to judge the duel solely using statistical metrics. What unfolded at the SEC Armadillo was a captivating duel between two lifters who refused to give each other any space. The contest was so nerve-wracking that each successful lift forced the officials to scrounge for record books. All six lifts attempted by the Indian and Nigerian weightlifter were clean, composed and almost effortless.
Gyaneshwari Yadav produced a spirited performance in a dramatic clean and jerk battle for the women’s 53 kg title. She initially set a new Commonwealth Games record with a 107 kg lift, only for the Nigerian to surpass it with 110 kg. Refusing to give in, Gyaneshwari responded with a superb 111 kg effort to reclaim the record. However, Didih had the final laugh, successfully lifting 113 kg to break the record once again and secure the gold medal. Gyaneshwari settled for silver, earning India’s fourth weightlifting medal and fifth overall medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Gyaneshwari Yadav’s Rise Fuelled By Government Help
Gyaneshwari Yadav’s rise has been backed by extensive support from the Government of India under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC). In preparation for the Commonwealth Games, Gyaneshwari trained at the National Coaching Camp in Patiala before attending an acclimatization camp at the Warley Weightlifting Club in Birmingham.
She also received financial assistance for competing at the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar and the Universal Weightlifting Cup in Samoa. Since the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she has received ₹4.75 lakh under TOPS and ₹19.22 lakh under ACTC. The government has also supported her participation in multiple international events, including the Junior World Championships, Junior Asian Championships, and Senior Asian Championships, helping her establish herself as one of India’s leading weightlifters.