Bhubaneswar: At just 15, Preetismita Bhoi has already etched her name in global weightlifting history — and in the hearts of millions back home in Odisha. The Dhenkanal-born prodigy stunned the world at the IWF World Youth Championships 2024 in Lima, Peru, when she shattered the world record in the women’s 40 kg clean and jerk category.
On May 12, 2024, Bhoi lifted an astonishing 76 kg, surpassing the previous record by a kilo. Coupled with a 57 kg snatch, her total of 133 kg not only secured her the gold medal but also announced the arrival of a future champion on the global stage.
“I just wanted to lift cleanly without any mistake,” Bhoi recalled modestly after her record-breaking performance. “It was double happiness for me because it turned into a world record.”
From Dhenkanal to the World Podium
Preetismita’s journey is one of grit and inspiration. Losing her father when she was just two months old, she and her sister Bidusmita, also a weightlifter, were raised by their mother Jamuna in Dhenkanal. Their lives changed when coach Gopal Chandra Das noticed Preeti’s athletic spark at school and encouraged her to take up weightlifting — a decision that would change everything.
Today, she trains at both the High-Performance Sub-Centre in Dhenkanal and the TENVIC–Odisha Weightlifting High-Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar, where her talent continues to flourish.
Her idol? None other than Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu, whose determination and discipline fuel Bhoi’s dreams.
“My ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal like Mirabai Chanu. For that, I will do anything — any sacrifice needed,” she says with quiet conviction.
A Record of Firsts
Adding another feather to her cap, Bhoi created history again in 2025 by clinching India’s first gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, this time in the 44 kg category. She will next represent India alongside Tikki Mohini Mallik at the 3rd Youth Asian Games 2025 in Bahrain, marking yet another milestone in her meteoric rise.
Coaches and Experts See Olympic Potential
Her coach Gopal Das describes her as “fearless, disciplined, and unstoppable once she sets her goal.”
International weightlifting coach Zoltan Farkas at TENVIC agrees: “Preeti has the potential to be an Olympic champion. We’re planning to gradually increase her weight category and prepare her for future Olympics.”
Katulu Ravi Kumar, Olympian and Secretary of the Odisha Weightlifting Association, echoes that belief. “We hope Preeti Bhoi will emerge as India’s Olympic medal hope in the 2036 Olympics.”
The Road Ahead
With the heart of a fighter and the humility of a champion, Preetismita Bhoi embodies the spirit of Odisha’s new sporting generation — resilient, fearless, and ready to lift the nation’s hopes higher with every attempt.
As she trains for her next big challenge, one thing is certain: the world will be hearing her name again, and soon — this time, perhaps, from the Olympic podium.
For Preetismita, every drop of sweat shed on the training floor is a step toward a single dream — the Olympic podium. Inspired by Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Mirabai Chanu, she carries the same fire and focus that define champions.
“My ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal like my idol Mirabai Chanu,” says the 15-year-old with quiet determination. “For that, I will do anything and make any sacrifice needed.”
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