Mumbai: Banerjee has grabbed attention by deadlifting 140 kg at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships held in Sun City, South Africa.
This is not only special because it earned her a silver medal, but also because the weight she lifted was three times her body weight of 45.70 kg during the competition. Social media users are congratulating Banerjee and sharing footage of her lifting. In this, netizens are praising her talent as well as her beauty.
Who is Kia Kunal Banerjee anyway?
Kia Kunal Banerjee is a 21-year-old Indian powerlifter competing in the junior women’s 47 kg category. Her performance in a sport where every kilogram is crucial is remarkable. Especially compared to her body weight of 45.70 kg, the deadlift she lifted managed to grab everyone’s attention. She finished the championship with a total of 280 kg, including a 90 kg squat, 50 kg bench press and 140 kg deadlift.
Despite finishing fifth overall in the 47 kg junior category, Banerjee’s biggest success came in the individual deadlift competition. Lifting 140 kg, she finished second behind France’s Ines Harbax, who lifted 165 kg.
Ireland’s Blathnaid O’Dwyer also lifted 140 kg, but was ahead of Banerjee in the deadlift rankings and won the silver medal.
This result represents a significant improvement in Banerjee’s performance over the past year. At the 2025 National Championships, he lifted a total of 257.5 kg with a squat of 82.5 kg, a bench press of 47.5 kg and a deadlift of 127.5 kg.
His performance continued in the 2026 National Championships as well. There, he lifted a total of 287.5 kg with a squat of 95 kg, a bench press of 52.5 kg and a deadlift of 140 kg. The 140 kg deadlift in South Africa is not just an isolated achievement, but the next step in his recent performance.
Kia catches the attention of the Indian sports world
In India, the number of people who enjoy cricket, football, badminton or athletics is increasing. But the number of those who catch the attention of powerlifting is rare. However, Banerjee’s viral lift has caught the attention of the Indian sports world. The athlete, who weighs just 45.70 kg, has managed to grab everyone’s attention by successfully deadlifting 140 kg at the World Championship stage.
Banerjee’s silver medal provided a rare ‘viral’ moment for Indian powerlifting, while fellow Indian Madhura Kar’s four gold medals and Jhabuawala’s sixth place finish were testament to India’s strong performance in South Africa.