Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], May 16 : India extended their impressive medal run at the Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 as Sanjana secured three bronze medals in the women's 77kg category in Gandhinagar on Saturday.
Sanjana lifted a combined total of 220kg (96kg snatch + 124kg clean and jerk) to finish third overall. Her efforts also earned her bronze medals in both the snatch and clean and jerk sections, as per Olympics.com.
At the Asian Weightlifting Championships, medals are awarded separately for the snatch and clean and jerk events, along with the overall total score.
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 event, Sanjana opened with a successful lift of 117kg. After missing her second attempt at 122kg, she bounced back strongly to clear 124kg on her final attempt.
Two-time world champion Liao Guifang of China clinched the gold medal with a combined lift of 265kg (118kg in snatch and 147kg in clean and jerk), while Kyong Ryong Kim of North Korea secured silver with a total of 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 combined lift of 220kg (95kg in snatch and 125kg in clean and jerk). She also placed fourth in both individual disciplines, narrowly missing out on a podium finish in all three categories.
The Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 is being held in India for only the second time. New Delhi previously hosted the continental event in 1982.