Powerlifting Prodigy: Keyaa Banerji’s Viral 140kg Deadlift Puts Indian Strength Sports in the Spotlight

A remarkable display of raw strength at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa, has thrust Indian powerlifting into the mainstream consciousness. At the heart of this newfound attention is 21-year-old Keyaa Kunal Banerji, whose awe-inspiring performance has captured the imagination of sports fans across the globe.

A Feat of Pure Strength

Competing in the Junior Women’s 47kg category, Banerji delivered a performance that defied expectations. Standing on the world stage, the 45.70kg athlete successfully pulled 140kg off the floor—a deadlift more than three times her own body weight.

This staggering feat earned her a silver medal in the individual deadlift event, placing her behind France’s Ines Herbaux, who lifted 165kg. Banerji’s total performance included a 90kg squat and a 50kg bench press, resulting in a 280kg total. The viral clip of her lift has served as an entry point for many to learn about the powerlifting landscape in India, with social media users expressing both astonishment at her physical prowess and pride in her achievement.

Rapid Career Progression

Banerji’s success in South Africa is the result of consistent, year-over-year improvement. Her trajectory shows a marked evolution in her capability:

• 2025 National Championship: 257.5kg total (82.5kg squat, 47.5kg bench, 127.5kg deadlift).
• 2026 National Championship: 287.5kg total (95kg squat, 52.5kg bench, 140kg deadlift).

By maintaining this momentum on the international stage, Banerji has cemented her status as one of India’s most promising young athletes.

A Dominant Indian Contingent

While Banerji’s lift captured the viral spotlight, the Indian team delivered a broader message of dominance at the championships.

Madhura Kar, a student from Jalpaiguri, emerged as the star of the Sub-Junior Women’s 52kg category. Weighing in at 49.35kg, Kar secured four gold medals by dominating every discipline—squatting 107.5kg, benching 60kg, and deadlifting 125kg for a total of 292.5kg. Her performance in South Africa follows a stellar year where she claimed national titles and a silver medal at the Asian Powerlifting Championship in China.

Additionally, Asma Taherali Zabuawala represented India in the Sub-Junior Women’s 84+kg category, finishing sixth overall with an impressive 372.5kg total.

Beyond the Viral Moment

For a sport that often sits in the shadow of India’s cricketing and football giants, these performances provide a much-needed boost in visibility. The sheer accessibility of the numbers—a 45.70kg athlete moving 140kg—has allowed audiences unfamiliar with the technical nuances of the sport to appreciate the extraordinary nature of Banerji’s achievement. As these young women continue to break records, they are not only claiming medals but are also redefining the perception of strength sports within the nation.