In a remarkable display of strength and consistency, 18-year-old Yash Khandagale from Maharashtra delivered one of India’s standout performances at the 2026 IWF Junior World Weightlifting Championships held in Ismailia, Egypt. The young lifter bagged three medals in the men’s 71kg category, showcasing resilience and technical prowess on the global stage.
Silver and Bronze: A Balanced Podium Finish
Competing against some of the best junior lifters in the world, Khandagale posted a combined total of 309kg, which was enough to secure silver overall — an achievement highlighting his competitive maturity. He opened with a strong 140kg lift in the snatch, grabbing silver in that discipline, before following up with a 169kg best in clean & jerk, earning bronze in that segment.
The trio of medals — silver in snatch, bronze in clean & jerk, and silver overall — makes this one of the most memorable performances by an Indian at the junior world level in recent years. Khandagale also improved his personal best by a significant 9kg total, underlining his upward trajectory in the sport.
From Group B to the Podium
What makes this achievement even more noteworthy is that Khandagale competed from Group B, a section typically featuring lifters with lower entry totals and without the dynamic strategic advantage of observing Group A competitors. Despite this, his performance stood up to the top contenders and translated into medals across multiple disciplines.
Emerging Indian Weightlifting Star
Khandagale’s rise reflects a broader trend of strengthening Indian weightlifting at the grassroots and junior levels. Moving up from the 65kg category in national meets to 71kg on the world stage and increasing his total by over 30kg within a year highlights his rapid development. His balanced technique — combining power with precision — will be key as he transitions to senior competition in the coming years.
His performance not only adds to India’s medal tally at the championships but also signals the emergence of promising talent poised to make an impact on the global weightlifting scene.
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