Last Updated:
Indian powerlifter Keyaa Banerji has slammed the sexist treatment she received after winning silver at the World Championships.
Keyaa Banerji has become the toast of the town since her powerlifting videos went viral (Picture credit: Screengrab from X)
Star Indian powerlifter Keyaa Banerji has said that no male athlete would face the level of sexism she did after her silver-medal victory at the World Championships, adding that netizens focused just on her appearance, not her achievement on the biggest stage.
Keyaa made her breakthrough at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa, where she competed in the Junior Women’s 47kg category.
But as a clip of her lift went viral on social media, the focus of the conversation shifted away from Keyaa’s sporting achievement. She said that she was subjected to trolling, fake accounts, misuse of her pictures and thousands of unauthorised AI-generated, manipulated photos using her likeness.
“I think it was just sexism at its finest. I don’t think I can put it in any other way. The way I was treated- men would never have to face this, like after winning a championship or something like that; a male athlete never has to face something like this,” Keyaa said while speaking to ANI.
“Most of the conversation revolved around my appearance. All people would talk about was my appearance and I think that really bothered me because I had accomplished something so big for myself and I had done something so big in my sport,” Keyaa added.
The 21-year-old, however, entered the competition with ambitions that extended well beyond bagging a podium finish.
“I think initially it is a great feeling. Once it came out on social media, I did get a little bit overwhelmed. There was some negative attention, but I would like to avoid talking about that too much,” Keyaa said.
“I am very proud of myself and very happy with my accomplishment. I have been working towards this for two years. This silver medal was something I wasn’t expecting initially,” Keyaa added.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Keyaa Banerji, an Indian powerlifter, won a silver medal in the Junior Women’s 47kg category at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa. She achieved this by deadlifting 140kg, which was a significant part of her total score of 280kg, including a 90kg squat and 50kg bench press.
Ask News18September 07, 2026, 12:54 IST
Read More
