Manama (Bahrain): Priteesmita Bhoi, the 16-year-old weightlifter from Odisha, has broken the world youth record in clean and jerk on her way to clinching gold in the girls’ 44-kg category at the Youth Asian Games in Bahrain on Sunday.
Bhoi lifted 92 kg in clean and jerk to set the world youth record, and 66 kg in snatch to aggregate 158 kg to take the top podium spot in the competition.
On a day when India also struck silver in the boys’ 60 kg category, Bhoi lifted 87 kg in her first attempt. She improved this by three kilograms in her second lift and finally heaved 92 kg for the record.
In snatch, following her successful lift of 66 kg, she failed her next two attempts of 68 kg and 69 kg.
Bhoi, born in Dhenkanal, lost her father when she was barely two. She and her sister, Vidusmita, were raised by their mother, Jamuna Devi. They were spotted by weightlifting coach Gopal Krishna Das while participating in a track event. He persuaded their mother to let them train as weightlifters.
The Talent Identification and Development Committee of Khelo India selected Bhoi as one of the weightlifters to be designated a Khelo India athlete in August 2023. Thereafter, she received support for training and in competitions.
She set a new youth world record of 76 kg in the Clean and Jerk category, on her way to winning gold in the 2024 Youth World Weightlifting Championships in the 40 kg event.
In 2025, Bhoi lifted a total of 150 kg (63 kg snatch and 87 kg clean and jerk) to win the youth 44 kg women’s category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships.
The Youth Asian Games gold is yet another feather in her cap.
