India to host Asian Weightlifting Championships after 44 years

By  News On Air   May 11, 2026

India is set to host the prestigious 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from today, marking the country’s first time hosting the event in 44 years. The championship will conclude on the 17th of this month.

Around 180 athletes from 28 countries will compete in one of Asia’s biggest weightlifting events of the year, which also serves as an important qualification event for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

India, China, and Sri Lanka will field the largest squads with 16 lifters each, while Chinese Taipei will have 15 participants. India’s campaign will be led by experienced lifters such as Bindyarani Devi and Ajith Narayana, along with Nirupama Devi, Lovepreet Singh, and Bedabarat Bharali.

However, Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu will miss the championship due to injury. Competing on home soil, India will aim for a stronger performance after a disappointing outing in the previous edition held in Jiangshan, China.