India’s Keyaa Banerji Secures Deadlift Silver at IPF Junior World Championships India’s Keyaa Kunal Banerji made headlines at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa, by clinching a silver medal in the deadlift category. Competing in the Junior Women’s 47 kg division, the 21-year-old powerlifter lifted 140 kg in the deadlift, finishing second in the individual lift. Her overall performance placed her fifth in the category, with a total of 280 kg across the three disciplines. The competition, held from August 18 to 29, 2026, saw Banerji compete against some of the strongest young athletes globally, showcasing her growing prowess in the sport. Banerji’s standout moment came in the deadlift, where she lifted 140 kg—a feat that exceeded three times her bodyweight of 45.70 kg. This performance earned her second place in the deadlift category, behind France’s Ines Herbaux, who won gold with 165 kg, and Ireland’s Blathnaid O’Dwyer, who matched Banerji’s 140 kg but finished third. Her total of 280 kg was composed of a 90 kg squat, 50 kg bench press, and 140 kg deadlift. She accumulated six competition points and 79.849 IPF GL points, reflecting her consistent performance across all lifts. The result marked a significant leap from her previous achievements. Powerlifting India records show that Banerji, born on February 16, 2005, and representing Haryana, had competed in the 2025 National Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championship. At that event, she lifted 82.5 kg in the squat, 47.5 kg in the bench press, and 127.5 kg in the deadlift, totaling 257.5 kg. By 2026, her lifts had improved substantially, with a 95 kg squat, 52.5 kg bench press, and 140 kg deadlift, bringing her total to 287.5 kg.#haryana #keyaa_kunal_banerji #ipf_world_championships #sun_city
