CWG 2026: Gyaneshwari Yadav Reveals She Won Silver Medal While on Her Period
Indian weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav clinched a remarkable silver medal in the women's 53kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, lifting a personal best of 199kg. The 23-year-old athlete from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, also an Assistant Sub-Inspector with the Chhattisgarh Police, bravely revealed she competed on the first day of her Period.
Indian weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav delivered a performance for the ages at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, securing a silver medal in the fiercely contested women's 53kg category. The 23-year-old athlete from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, not only achieved a personal best total lift of 199kg but also revealed the extraordinary circumstances under which she competed: the first day of her menstrual cycle. Gyaneshwari Yadav Wins Silver Medal in Commonwealth Games 2026 Women's 53kg Weightlifting Final.
Yadav's inspiring disclosure came after her triumphant performance, adding a powerful layer to her already remarkable achievement. "Today was the first day of my period, so I wasn’t sure how my body would respond or whether I’d be able to perform as expected. But I gave it everything I had," she shared, highlighting the immense mental and physical fortitude required to excel despite the discomfort and uncertainty.
VIDEO- Gyaneshwari Yadav Reveals She Competed On Day One Of Her Period
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A Medal Forged in Resilience
Competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Gyaneshwari Yadav showcased exceptional composure and strength. Her silver-winning effort included a snatch lift of 88kg and an impressive 111kg in the clean and jerk, combining for her personal best total of 199kg. This stellar performance saw her finish just behind Nigeria's Onome Omolola Didih, who claimed the gold with a total lift of 206kg (93kg snatch, 113kg clean and jerk). Canada's Rebeka Groulx secured the bronze medal with a total of 178kg. Yadav's medal was India's fifth weightlifting medal at the Games, further cementing the nation's prowess in the sport. India at Commonwealth Games 2026 Medal Tally: Dilip Gavit Wins Gold; Basil, Sreeshankar Settle for Silver.
Commonwealth Games 2026: Women's 53kg Weightlifting Results
- Gold: Onome Omolola Didih (Nigeria) – 206kg (93kg Snatch, 113kg Clean & Jerk)
- Silver: Gyaneshwari Yadav (India) – 199kg (88kg Snatch, 111kg Clean & Jerk)
- Bronze: Rebeka Groulx (Canada) – 178kg
Video- Gyaneshwari Yadav Bags Silver Medal
Gyaneshwari Yadav bags silver in the Women's 53kg weightlifting event at Commonwealth Games 2026 🥈 🏋🏼 🇮🇳
Watch #GLASGOW2026 LIVE on #SonyLIV & #SonySportsNetwork 📺📲 pic.twitter.com/twZBvXwvnY
— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) July 27, 2026
Journey to the Podium
Gyaneshwari's path to the Commonwealth Games podium is a testament to unwavering dedication and a dream passed down through generations. Her father, Deepak Yadav, an electrician, once harboured ambitions of becoming a bodybuilder but had to forgo his dreams due to financial responsibilities. Determined to see his legacy continue, he encouraged a young Gyaneshwari to pursue strength sports, enrolling her under coach Ajay Lohar Vishwakarma when she was just 13 years old. Hailing from Bhodiya village in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, Yadav is also an Assistant Sub-Inspector with the Chhattisgarh Police, balancing her demanding sporting career with public service.
Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Millions
Her revelation about competing on the first day of her menstrual cycle brings to light the often-unseen challenges faced by female athletes and helps to break taboos surrounding women's health in sports. It underscores not only her incredible physical strength but also immense mental resilience and determination to perform at the highest level regardless of personal discomfort. Gyaneshwari Yadav's silver medal is more than just a sporting achievement; it's a powerful narrative of fulfilling a family dream, defying physical limitations, and inspiring countless individuals by demonstrating that true strength is measured not only by the weight on the barbell, but by the courage to keep going when every part of your body asks you to stop.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 11:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
