Indian para powerlifter Kasthuri Rajamani clinched the silver medal in the women’s 67kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on Wednesday, registering a best lift of 108kg in her final attempt.
The 42-year-old athlete from Tamil Nadu finished second behind Uzbekistan’s Rukhshona Uktamova, who secured gold with a lift of 127kg. South Korea’s Kim Hyeonghui claimed bronze with a best effort of 107kg.
Rajamani began the competition with a successful lift of 103kg before improving to 106kg in her second attempt. She then lifted 108kg in her final attempt to secure a place on the podium.
The battle for silver remained close until the final round, with Rajamani edging ahead of Kim by just one kilogram after the South Korean failed to improve on her previous best.
The silver medal marked a significant improvement for Rajamani, who had finished fifth at the previous edition of the Asian Para Games.
Rajamani, who has polio affecting both legs, has overcome several personal challenges during her journey in the sport. She lost her mother during childhood and was subsequently raised by her grandmother.
Her podium finish in Aichi-Nagoya marked another milestone in her international career.
Rajamani’s silver was India’s second medal in para powerlifting at the ongoing Games.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ashok Kumar Malik opened India’s medal account in the discipline by securing silver in the men’s 65kg category.
Malik also improved on his performance from the previous edition of the Asian Para Games, where he had won bronze.
With Rajamani joining Malik on the podium, India continued its medal-winning run in para powerlifting at the continental event.
(IANS Inputs)
