The government job provided some relief to the family even as Gyaneshwari graduated to the senior category. She later changed her weight category to 53kg and won a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Championships.
Gyaneshwari, like any other woman lifter in the country, idolises ace Manipuri lifter Mirabai Chanu. But be it 49kg or 53kg, she has to compete with her role model for a place in the national team. With the International Weightlifting Federation revising the weight categories for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, Mirabai, who switched to 48kg from 49kg of late, has to move up to 53kg if she wishes to feature in her fourth Olympics. This also means Gyaneshwari has to fight for her place in the team with Mirabai once again.
“I never think in that way. She has to work hard and results will follow. We have endured a lot in our lifetime so far and this is nothing. If she is good enough, she will overcome every hurdle,” signed off the father.
Gyaneshwari might miss the 2026 Asian Games like she did the last time but will hope to give former world champion and 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai a tough fight for the LA Games. The qualification period starts soon and the CWG silver medal will only motivate Gyaneshwari to better herself every time she climbs the weightlifting platform from now onwards.
